Be brave for God!

What a king!

11 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. 12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a] ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’

14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

15 “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.

16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 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.’

22 “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? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’

24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

26 “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. 27 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.’” 28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.-Luke19:11-28

Two things struck me - the attitude of the master/king, and what of the other 7 servants.

As I read and reflected, I cannot help but remember Herod I. Herod was never the rightful heir to the kingdom of Judea. The Hasmonean Dynasty has many male descendants who had every right to be king. But because of ambition, Herod in some way "stole" it from them by securing Rome's help and support. Just like the master in this parable, he went away only to come back as king. And just like the master in this parable, his subjects never really liked him much. And, just like the master in this parable, he ordered many killings including members of his family. Jesus, too, is in some way, strangely similar with the master in the parable. Unlike the master and Herod who had to leave and earn their kingship from somewhere else, Jesus was the true king when He became God-made-man. But by becoming God-made-man, he subjected Himself to our lowliness except sin. And in the process, leaving His glorified form just to be one with us.

Just like the master and Herod, Jesus had supporters and detractors. Today, there are many who proudly claim themselves as anti-Christ through their actions, words, thoughts and beliefs. Morality is sometimes sacrificed to give way to pleasures of the flesh and of this world.

If Herod and the master in the parable had ordered many killings, Jesus - the True King and God-made-man - embraced the will of the Father by sacrificing Himself to redeem us all. Not all kings are willing to make this sacrifice for their subjects, for their enemies and even for those not yet born. But Jesus, in His great love, did it.

Another thing that struck me was, whatever happened to the other 7 servants? 10 were called to put the entrusted money to work while the master is away. If 3 made an accounting already, what of the 7? Were they successful? Were 9 servants successful in their business transactions except the last one who lost all?

My reflection is telling me "No." I believe that there were servants who were successful in putting the money to work, thus, earning more. And I believe that there were servants who were not successful at all too. Perhaps some lost it all. But, they were not punished because what is more important is taking risks, being brave, giving it a try, seizing the moment and grabbing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to excel. Hey, all stories have a hero/heroine, an enemy, a problem to solve and almost always a good ending. Regardless of the ending, notice that the hero/heroine always, always gives his/her best shot to be brave, to give it a try, to seize the moment and to grab a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to succeed. Jesus is encouraging us to be brave for Him and not to waste the God-given gifts He blessed and continues to bless us with. Sometimes all that it takes is a small step forward and faith in God.

Image courtesy: Willem de Poorter (Parable of the Talents), Rubens (Triumph of Judas Maccabee), TheBeke (David and Goliath)