What Would Jesus Have Us Do Before We Enter The Door Of Heaven?
Good Morning Friends,
This final parable in Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem in the book of Luke highlights the believer’s responsibility or stewardship during the interval between Jesus’ death and return. Jesus related this story to prepare His followers to understand what they were to do after He died for mankind’s sin. His disciples were hoping He would set up an earthly kingdom. So, Jesus tells this story, so His followers would know what they were to do between His departure and His second coming. Like the passage from Revelation, it is about the future with an opportunity and a warning. It is about character development and required services. What Would Jesus Have Us Do Before We Enter The Door Of Heaven?
Scripture: After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads. Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God; and in front of the throne there is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human face, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside. Day and night without ceasing they sing, “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:1-11 (NRSV)
As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.'” After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Luke 19:11-28 (NRSV)
Message: Because we live in that interim time, before Jesus’ return, Luke’s parable applies directly to us. For each of us have been given resources with which to build and expand God’s kingdom. So, Jesus expects us to use our talents, time, and gifts for His kingdom. If we use the gifts and opportunities God has blessed us with in Kingdom service, they in turn will multiply as we use them. Friends, the Kingdom is within each of us but also in our relationships. The story indicates that the King, when he returns, will ask each of us to give an account for what we have done with His gifts. So, while waiting for the eternal kingdom of God to begin in glory we are called upon to do Christ’s work. Those who do will be rewarded for their effort. Not only will each be rewarded for their kingdom effort, there will apparently be degrees of reward according to one’s faithfulness also. Interestingly Jesus tells this kingdom parable while leaving Zacchaeus’ house in preparation for His arrival in Jerusalem. The purpose of the parable is to set expectations straight. The people with Jesus thought He was going to instate the kingdom immediately. The messianic expectations of Jesus’ day, His proximity to Jerusalem and the importance of His soon arrival there needed to be explained. So, in the parable Jesus is correcting false notions of the nature and purpose of His’ Jerusalem trip. The parable also explains the reason for Jesus’ delay in setting up His Kingdom and helps prepare the disciple for what they should be doing with their life after His return to the Father. So, friends, for us the message is clear. Until Jesus returns we are to make the best use of our talents and our opportunities to serve Him. In view of our Savior’s promise to return, we are to keep developing our gifts of love, faith and hope get on with His business of serving a Kingdom purpose.
Pray we anticipate the Kingdom correctly. Pray we receive the Kingdom in our hearts. Pray we work for the King as if the return is imminent. Pray we are rewarded for being good and faithful servants. Pray we ask the Lord to help you stay on guard against the unfaithfulness of non-involvement. Pray God enable us to be successfully involved in kingdom service. Pray we praise the power of the promise of Christ’s return to rule on earth as in heaven. Pray we are productive in Kingdom Service.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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