Occupy till I come

This is a tale of two cities: Jericho - the city of the curse, v. 1, and Jerusalem - the city of the King, v. 11.

The people expected the Lord to head to Jerusalem and immediately set up His kingdom, and this is the key to the parable which forms the main part of today’s reading, vv. 11-27.

Notice firstly, the nobleman’s absence, v. 13, and rejection, v. 14. There would be a period when Christ would be absent from the nation and rejected by the nation. The kingdom would not ‘immediately appear’ v. 11; in fact, the King would be rejected. The parable then focuses on the behaviour of the servants during the nobleman’s absence.

Each servant is given the same amount, ten pounds, and told to ‘occupy (or trade) till I come’, v. 13. This surely indicates gifts that every believer shares in common - life, time, energy, to name but a few - which we are expected to use as stewards for our absent Lord.

When the nobleman returns there is a day of review and retribution. Although this refers to events at the manifestation and not the judgement seat of Christ, the principles of stewardship and reward are equally applicable to our dispensation.

The amounts gained by faithful use of the pounds vary. One servant saw an increase of 1000%, another an increase of 500%. Rewards are given in proportion to faithful service - ten cities and five cities, vv. 17, 18. One servant has gained nothing, and simply returns the original pound unused. The napkin, or sweat cloth, is an appropriate symbol of the servant’s idleness. His distorted estimate of his master’s character is offered as an excuse for his inactivity, but is rejected by the nobleman. There is no excuse for neglecting to use our gifts. A proper appreciation of the character of our Lord will surely stimulate zeal in His service!

The parable closes with retribution. The enemies who rejected the nobleman are slain, v. 27, prefiguring the judgement of apostate Israel at the Lord’s manifestation.

Only when these lessons have been learned does the Lord continue His journey to Jerusalem, v. 28.