Use Caution When Speaking

Luke 19:11-27 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' " 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' " 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me.' "

Keywords: Jerusalem, minas

Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam because God chose the location for His divine kingship and His vice-regents.[1]

Mina is equivalent to three months wages.[2]

This parable is about duties, duties of both the disciples and the nation. Our duty is to turn to Jesus. Refusal to turn to Jesus will lead to punishment. The parable is about Jesus, he is the man of noble birth. If we honor Jesus and complete the duties assigned our reward will be given. However, the individuals not honoring Jesus will be punished.

What are our duties? We are to love our enemies. (Luke 6:27-36) We are to be wise. (Luke 6:46-49) We are to have the faith of the Centurion. (Luke 7:1-10) We are to know the cost of following Jesus. (Luke 9:57-62) We are to be like the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37) Remember and obey the two commandments given in the parable which are:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

It is important to remember that God knows all, sees all, and hears all. Avoid conversations that may cause harm to someone. When thoughts arise falling outside the two commandments given by Jesus, pray, seeking the guidance of God. In the parable, the man of noble birth knew that individuals did not want him to be king. Ask God for strength to keep you from similar sins.

Bibliography

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

Tan, Randall K. J. and Brian T. Stachowski. “Jerusalem.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 873-878. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] Randall K. J. Tan and Brian T. Stachowski, “Jerusalem,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 873-878. [2] John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 1984), 252.