Making Minas:

Context:

• Jesus had spent some time with a wee little man.
• He was now nearing Jerusalem.
• He knew that his disciples were expecting the kingdom of God to appear immediately.
• He proceeded to tell them a parable.

Luke 19:12-13 “...He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’...”

Where was the nobleman going and why?

• Far away.
• To receive a kingdom.
• He would then return.

To what underlying truth was this parable speaking?

• Jesus was about to go away.
• Jesus is going to return.

What did He give His servants?

• Ten minas.
• Each mina was worth roughly 3 months wages.

What were they to do with the minas?

• Engage in business. 
• Use that with which they have been entrusted.

What does Jesus expect of His servants prior to His return.

• Engage in business.
• Use that with which they have been entrusted.

Luke 19:14 “...But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ ...”

Who resisted the nobleman’s wishes, and why?

• The citizens didn’t want to be ruled.

Who resists the Lord Jesus now, and why?

• The citizens who don’t want anyone reigning over them.

Luke 19:15-19 “...When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ ...”

Did the nobleman receive the kingdom? Did he return, as he said he would?

What did the first two servants receive?

• Commendations for multiplying what they had been given.
• Increased responsibility and authority.

Luke 19:20-23 “...Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ ...”

What did the third servant receive?

• Condemnation for being wicked.

What did the last seven servants receive?

• What they deserved.

Luke 19:24-27 “...And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’...”

What is the underlying lesson about using what is given?

• Faithfulness leads to increased responsibility.
• Unfaithfulness leads to loss.

What happens to those who resist the reign of the Ruler of the Kingdom?

• They are slaughtered.

Is this harsh?

Is this just?

Are we forewarned?

Will it matter?