Reflection

As Jesus draws ever-closer to Jerusalem and the tension mounts, there are

two questions now in focus: (a) Will Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem

precipitate a sudden coming of God’s Kingdom? (b) How should people respond

to the arrival of the King? We’ll look at the second question in more

detail over the coming days, but the answer to the first question is clear:

No! In fact, that’s the point and the purpose of the beginning of the

parable that Jesus shares in this section.

Many people thought that the arrival of the Messiah would signal a final

reckoning of God’s Kingdom. Some people thought (and hoped!) that this

would be the moment when the Romans were evicted and God’s Messiah would

take up his rule and reign. However, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not to

take up some earthly rule but to be enthroned on the cross. This would have

been a shock to many, but Jesus assures them that he will be coming back

again. He will indeed receive the Kingdom through his decisive victory on

the cross, but it won’t be until later when he returns when we will see

that Kingdom come in full.

So what are Jesus’ followers meant to do between his departure and return?

Jesus’ story makes it abundantly clear! We are to devote our lives, using

our gifts, times, and resources, for the purposes of building God’s

Kingdom. The servants in the parable are not given a huge amount, but they

are given enormous scope on how to use those gifts. Likewise, regardless of

how much or little we think we have, the key is using whatever we have for

God’s purposes in recognition that we will need to give an account when our

King returns. AL

Questions

What were people expecting of Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem?

What gifts do you think that God has entrusted to you?

How do you see your gifts at work for the purposes of God’s Kingdom?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you so much that Jesus went to the cross for us,

rose from the dead, and is coming back again! Please help us to be aware of

the gifts that you have entrusted us, motivated to use those gifts for your

Kingdom purposes, and mindful that we will need to give an account when you

return. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.