Is Your Sweat Cloth Wet?
Read the Text: Luke 19
Memorize the Text: : “Well then,” he told them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25)
Consider the Text: Luke 19:11-27
We are called to be obedient to the command of the Lord to be diligent workers for the Lord. To emphasize this point, Jesus told a parable on the expectation of such diligence. The telling of this story came as Jesus neared the time of his death, resurrection, and ascension. In this parable, the nobleman is Christ, while the servants are the people called to follow and obey him. This parable leads us to the overarching question that if Jesus returned today would he find us diligent at work as his servants? Would the sweat cloth be wet from the sweat of our brow or dry from our paralyzing fear, disobedience, or unfaithfulness?
Jesus began the parable with a MESSAGE FROM THE NOBLEMAN. This message was simple and direct, even though it contained several key directives. The nobleman called his servants to come to him. This imperative extended to the servants because the nobleman had an important task for the servants. He wanted to provide them with their marching orders to carry out the task of the kingdom.
The nobleman clearly stated the importance of the servants work in the announcement of his departure. The nobleman needed to leave for a moment to become crowned as king. If the nobleman did not go away, then the needed task of anointing would not occur and this task was needed to fulfill what was needed. In his absence, the task remained simple, work for the nobleman. He desired for the servants to continue the task at hand until his promised return.
Once the nobleman declared the command, the SERVANTS WERE TO WORK. The first servant went and worked hard. The result of his labor led to a return of 1000%. The first servant worked diligent for the Lord and wisely maximized the nobleman’s reward. In a similar manner, the second servant worked faithfully. The return of his labor reach 500%. The difference in the two returns does not reflect a different level of faithfulness, rather it indicates the importance of serving to the best of one’s ability.
The third servant refused to labor in faithfulness. Instead, the servant took his initial deposit and laid it back. He took the sweat cloth meant to be used in the midst of work and used it as a savings box. The lack of obedience came as he did not fully know the nobleman and as a result, he could not follow in obedience. He wasted the gift he was given and ultimately disobeyed the nobleman.
Upon his return, the king gave DIFFERING RESPONSES. The king calls the servants to himself and responds to their work for the kingdom. The first two servants received the acknowledgement of a job well done and received an appropriate reward. The king responded justly and responded to the faithfulness of the servants. In contrast, the third servant approached and received punishment because of his unfaithfulness. The last servant did not even do the least amount possible to bring a return, but instead did nothing and as a result faced the punishment of the king.
The parable serves as a reminder and challenge for followers of Christ. We must understand that like the servants, we receive a call to come to Jesus. When we approach, he calls us to the work of the kingdom. This work takes place as he is away and we are to continue the work until his return. When Jesus returns, his servants will be expected to bring a return on his investment. Is this important? Absolutely, because like the nobleman, when Jesus returns their will be a time of reward and punishment. This time of judgment will be eternal in nature and we will give an account for our faithfulness or unfaithfulness with the talents God has given us. As we think about this parable, may we analyze our faithfulness in following and serving the Lord.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
