01.17. A Pound of the Gospel
A Pound of the Gospel
If you could have a pound of anything in the world what would you ask for? Would it be a pound of gold, silver, health, wisdom or what? Sandwiched between the story of Zacchaeus and the Triumphal entry is what is known as the parable of the pound. The things Jesus spoke to Zacchaeus were the "These things…" of Luke 19:11.
Some think this is the same parable as Matthew’s parable of the talent but when they are looked at they seem to certainly be similar but different.
Luke 19:11 gives the reason that Jesus spoke this parable. He was nearing Jerusalem on His journey there. Jericho is just a few rugged miles down the road from Jerusalem. In fact it says in Luke 19:28 "And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem." By this time the rumors would certainly be flying. "He will overthrow the Roman’s when he comes to Jerusalem." "We will see the kingdom of God set up when He arrives." The main reason for this parable being spoken is said to be so they would not think His kingdom was immediately to appear. The kingdom they were looking for was a kingdom on earth that would return them to their former days of independence. They looked for Messiah to set up His kingdom and overthrow the Roman rule.
These people were willing to proclaim Jesus King when He entered Jerusalem. They, however, wanted Him to rule according to their terms and not His. Jesus tells this parable to teach that His kingdom would not come about this way and not at this time.
Background in History:
As has been stated many times, Jesus was masterful at taking events of the day and teaching a spiritual application to them. After all this is what a parable is. The background of this parable is a story very familiar with the people He spoke to of the day.
Let me give us a background quote to get the historic event. I quote from Warren Wiersbe’s work Windows on the Parable. (p144-45)
"The story He told about the nobleman was really not new to the Jewish people, for they had seen this plot enacted years before by one of the sons of Herod the Great, Herod Archelaus (Matthew 2:22 ). Herod the Great left part of his kingdom to Archelaus, but the will had to be ratified by Rome. The people hated Archelaus because, though he had promised to be kinder to them than his father, he had turned to be just as wicked. A delegation of Jewish leaders actually went to Rome to protest the approval, but Augustus ratified the appointment and Archelaus became tetrarch of Judea and Samaria. When the new ruler arrived home, he rewarded his faithful aids and punished those citizens who had opposed him."
An additional item of interest that brought this story to life was that Archelaus palace was located at Jericho. With this background in mind to help us understand lets hear Jesus give the parable of the ten pounds. The Parable Unfolded:
As we attempt to unfold this parable we need to understand the characters of this parable. As we understand the characters we will understand the parables message to us today.
A- The Nobleman: While in the historic setting this nobleman was Herod Archelaus in the parabolic setting it is no other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He subtly teaches that He is worthy to rule over them. After all He had a right to rule because He was the son of David and the Son of God. After His death He returned to heaven to receive His kingdom. He is sitting at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:3 ) He will return someday soon to establish His rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14 ).
B- The Pounds: Unlike the parable of the talents found in Matthew here all the servants received the same amount, one pound. What does this pound represent? We can ask the question, what is the one thing that all believers have to invest equally, to answer this. We all have the Holy Spirit but He is to empower us to use what we have stewardship over. The pound in this parable represents the Gospel. Jude call it, "… the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 1:3
1 Thessalonians 2:4 "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel…" Paul often referred to the "stewardship of the gospel." The admonishment of this parable was to "occupy till I come." Luke 19:13 We have been given our pound, our pound of the gospel, if you will, to invest and use wisely.
C- The Ten Servants: As we enter the exposition of the ten servants we must first remember that all the servants understood their responsibility to do with the pound to he best of their ability.
1- Faithful servants: In the parable there were two of the ten singled out as being faithful servants
a- One to ten pounds: Luke 19:16 The first faithful servant took the pound and increased it ten fold. The pound went from one to ten in value. The nobleman said to him, "Well, thou good servant." Luke 19:17 He next gives him ten cities to rule over. b- One to five pounds: Luke 19:18 The second one had increased the pound to five from one. He is given five cities to rule over. Luke 19:19. 2- Unfaithful servant: Luke 19:20-24 This parable shows failure of the servant to do anything. Do you not get the felling this was a lame excuse for his laziness. Perhaps he only put it off and put it off and put it off until time had caught up to him. Many do this today. Perhaps it was truly a fear of failure. Many times today believers have a fear of failure that keeps them from trying. Matthew 5:15-16 says, "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." 3- Rebellious citizens: Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27 gives us the group who rejected the rule of the nobleman. He calls them to be brought and slain before him. This certainly is a picture of the Jews who rejected their Messiah but also all those who have heard the gospel and rejected Him as they reject the message. Jesus would ride into Jerusalem in the next few hours and be rejected. He came as a humble king and not as a warrior Messiah. Hear the words recorded by John, "…Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar." John 19:15
4- The Forgotten Seven: The parable only calls to account three of the servants. What happened to the other seven who we do not have a record of them being called into account? I’m sure they were called into account along with these three. Them seemingly being forgotten I fell was no accident. This speaks to my heart that there is still going to be a time of accountability for our use of our pound, our pound of the gospel. Their judgment is not recorded and at this moment in time neither is ours. Are we investing what God has given us all in equal portions wisely or are we burying in the ground. The time is running out it is time to get busy with our pound of the gospel.