The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’ [Luke 19.11-14]
The story Jesus began telling here comes on the heels of His encounter with Zacchaeus (as told by Luke's Gospel).
There are some details in the story worth pointing out and meditating upon that may shed light on what we are to understand of it.
First, there are originally ten servants to whom ten pounds of silver were divided presumably equally, meaning each servant got one pound of silver. There were obviously more servants, but only ten were selected and entrusted with the silver.
Each servant was given the silver with the stipulation (and therefore the obligation) to invest it.
Even though there were originally ten servants to whom a pound of silver was given, only three did anything with the silver in deference to the nobleman. Two actually invested the pound of silver and one merely hid it (although still acknowledging it belonged to the nobleman).
It would appear the remaining seven servants to whom a pound of silver was given simply received the pound of silver as their own, rejected the notion of the nobleman becoming their king, and were never heard from again.
No doubt, this story is allegorical of Jesus, Who came to earth as a nobleman but would ultimately be altogether rejected by most (70%) of His selected servants. This group does not even include His servants that were not selected as one of the ten (not to mention those who were not His servants at all). So, in other words, as "people" go, only a very select "few" not only followed Jesus as servants, were selected to be entrusted with the silver (based on ???), actually invested the silver (as originally instructed), and were rewarded (based on performance).
The details of this story regarding God's Kingdom should be compared to something Jesus said early-on in His ministry also about God's Kingdom:
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]
If this doesn't give us reason for a serious "check up" on our "Easy Gospel" misnomer, then we are decidedly oblivious to God's Word and what is going on with His Kingdom and Jesus.
Elsewhere, Jesus is on record of having said:
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [John 15.16]
Should we just ignore Jesus' story? Should we ignore how it fits seamlessly with Matthew 7.13-14, Matthew 22.14 and John 15.16?
Being called is universal (this is God's Grace). Being selected is the result of responding to the call (repentance). Being chosen is the result of performing what we are selected to do (faith: Jesus working His works in and through us).
It would be prudent that we listen for Jesus' call and help others listen as well. It would also be prudent to understand that "the call" does not ultimately guarantee being "chosen." And, it would furthermore be prudent (according to Jesus' story above) to realize that even being selected does not guarantee being "chosen" by the King for Kingdom participation.
We must understand that people are "chosen" for a reason. This is not a platform for "predestination" but instead a declaration of God's Word that people indeed have a role in being chosen. I cannot help here but recall childhood memories of shouting, "Pick me!" when wanting to participate in some competitive game or event. I also recall that even being selected did not guarantee being victorious in the competition.
I think it not ironic that in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, we also read about James and John essentially crying out, "Pick me!"
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” [Mark 10.35-37]
Jesus responded quite clearly to James and John that being selected did not necessarily guarantee Kingdom position:
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” [Mark 10.38-40]
Are we crying out, "Pick me!"? Do we understand what we are asking? The problem seen most predominantly today is that far too many people serve God as a concession and not as a privilege. Not many are actually crying "Pick me!" and even less are producing a return on what they were selected to produce. "Few" actually "get it." "Few" actually understand that they have a role...
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. [Revelation 3.20-21]
Father, "Pick me!" And then, may I be found repentant and faithful, not as a concession, but as a privilege, to please You in every way! May I never lose sight that my victory is not at all mine, but "Christ's in me." It is pure privilege that Jesus would dwell and work in and through me. So be it!
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