Jesus began His final
journey to Jerusalem on the road from a village called Ephraim north to the the
area of Beit Shan. Then He joined others
on the road along the east side of the Jordan River to Jericho. Now He has turned west and begun the climb on
the road up, up, up to Jerusalem.
It’s a climb of more
than 3000 feet, from the Jordan (1000 feet below sea level) to Jerusalem (over 2000
feet above sea level). Today Hwy. 1
makes the climb easy for the pilgrims; in Jesus day it would have been quite
the workout. All the roads into
Jerusalem involve a tough climb. But
that was a mark of the city, being surrounded by hills and valleys that made it
a natural fortress or refuge (Psalm 125:2).
In Jesus day the city was compact
(Ps. 122:3), not spread out over numerous hills and valleys as it is today. The view of the great temple would have been impressive
to the eyes and heart of every Jew.
As Jesus and the crowd
approached Jerusalem there is excitement.
Given Jesus’ Messianic claims many thought the kingdom of God was about
to appear, referring, of course, to the earthly reign of Messiah. They have not understood what Jesus already said
about His being rejected, suffering and then being resurrected. So Jesus gives them one more opportunity to
understand that things are not going as they think they will. He is going away, and they will be held
accountable for their decisions regarding Him.
(Note: this is not the same story as in Mt. 25:14-30. The latter was several days later, told only
to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, and contains significant differences,
most importantly the reference to the citizens who rejected Him, 19:14,27.)
Roman kings went to
Rome to receive their kingdoms. So Jesus
will be going to heaven, to sit at God’s right hand, where it has been
prophesied He will receive His kingdom (Psalm 110:1). Those who serve Him will be given resources
to do His business till I come.
The parable is true to
reality, revealing truth about judgment.
Judgment is proportional, according to works (Rom. 2:6). It is according to Jesus’ words (Jn. 12:48) and
conducted by Jesus (Jn. 5:22). Judgment
is for those who profess to be Jesus’ servants (2 Cor. 5:10) as well as those
who reject Him. Judgment of Jesus’
servants involves both reward and loss of reward (1 Cor. 3:12-15). The judgment of His enemies (v27) may refer
to the end time judgment of Israel but many see it as a reference or to the
destruction in 70AD. The nation rejected
Him at the cross and in the offering of the gospel through the Apostles in
Acts.
Clearly this parable
fits us today. Jesus is talking about
the time after His rejection up to His return.
This is the age in which we now living.
We who claim to be His servants have received resources (time, energy,
spiritual gifts, life and breath) to use in His absence. We will give an account as to our response to
His command: Do business until I come!
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