The Gold Coins

THE GOLD COINS

Luke 19:11-27

I. THE SETTING

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. (Luke 19:11)

A. Where does this take place?

B. Where were Jesus and the disciples?

C. Who is “they?”

D. What is this they listened to?

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10)

1. In OT “Son of man" is a common term used to accentuate the difference between God and human beings.

2. Daniel 7:13-14 describes a coming son of man who is

- coming with the clouds of heaven and was led before God,

- given authority, glory and sovereign power,

- all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.

- His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

3. Son of Man – favorite term Jesus used to describe himself and he is identifying with the son of man of Daniel

E. Why did Jesus tell this story?

1. Because they were near Jerusalem and time was running short

2. They thought the kingdom of God was going to appear at once – disciples thought they would be important figures in the new kingdom.

3. Jesus tells this parable is to explain that the coming of the Kingdom will be delayed.

F. What were their kingdom expectations?

1. One group expecting a messiah who would overthrow Rome - Simon the Zealot

2. Another group was expecting an apocalyptical messiah who bring the world to an end

3. No one expected a messiah like Jesus.

4. Prior to his ascension back into heaven, the disciples asked him. “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” They still did not fully understand his mission.

II. LEAVING TO BE APPOINTED KING

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. (Luke 19:14-15a)

A. Jesus’ hearers in Jericho would have immediately brought to mind the story of one of Herod the Great's sons, Archelaus. This happened while Jesus was a boy in Nazareth and it was a matter of common knowledge.

1. Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great, went to Rome in 4 BC to have his father’s will confirmed, by which he was to be his successor. But a crowd of Jews followed close on his heels with a protest to the emperor: “We don’t want this man to be our king.” They had good reason for hating him: Josephus records that at the first Passover after his succession he massacred 3,000 or his subjects. As a result Augustus severely limited his powers, denying him the title ‘king’ until he should prove worthy of it (which he never did). Jesus was probably using this incident as a basis for the parable.

2. One scholar said that there would be special fitness in an allusion to Archelaus in this region, for, as Josephus relates, he had built a magnificent palace in Jericho and also made an aqueduct for irrigation purposes.

B. The Jewish leaders hated Jesus.

1. His enemies include the Pharisees, the scribes, the chief priest's family, and members of the Sanhedrin.

2. They hate Jesus, not because he is an evil ruler, but because as Messiah he threatens their power and righteousness.

3. Each of these groups will, in the next week, redouble and refocus their efforts to see him killed.

III. SMALL INVESTMENTS IN 10 SERVANTS

So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.’ (Luke 19:13)

A. Mina = $20-$30

B. Servants = followers of Jesus, you, and me

C. What did the gold coins really represent?

1. Every person’s equal gift of grace and forgiveness.

2. A life with all of its potential.

3. The spiritual gifts, abilities, and knowledge that he has passed on to his disciples - to you and to me.

D. The Question: what will we do with what God has given to us?

IV. A DAY OF ACCOUNTING

Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. (Luke 19:16)

A. The nobleman had put no restrictions on the servants in how they were to invest the money.

1. They were free to do it in different ways.

2. He simply said, 'Put this money to work . . . until I come back.'

B. Notice, the nobleman was not expecting the same gain from each servant.