Tues’s Devo - Preparing a Kingdom for Us

Read Luke 19:11-27 Jesus is approaching Jerusalem where he will die so he gives them a parable to explain the kingdom of God since they though it was coming soon. In his parable there is a man who went to a far away country to establish a kingdom and then return. He called in his 10 servants and gave them each a pound and told them to use these to trade until he came back. The townspeople hated him and sent word to him that they didn’t want him to rule them anymore. When he returned he called his servants in for an account of how well they had used his money. The first man had gained 10 more pounds and he gave him 10 cities in his new kingdom. The next servant had gained 5 so he gave him 5 cities. But, one man came and gave him back his pound because he said he was a tough master who reaped where he didn’t sow so he had kept it in a napkin so he wouldn’t lose it. The master was furious and told him he could have at least put it in the bank to gain interest. He took his pound and gave it to the man who had gained 10. When the people complained he said if you have then you shall be given more, but if you don’t have then what you do have will be taken from you. Then he had the townspeople who hated him killed. In this parable the master is Jesus who is leaving to set up his kingdom for them to come to later. While he is gone he had given his followers the gift of salvation to share and multiply on the earth. The townspeople are the enemies of God who hate God and don’t want him to be their king. If we take this gift of salvation and share it then we will be rewarded later according to our works. If we don’t then it might be taken from us. In the end their will be a judgment. Jesus told them to let them know that there is a time period of waiting for the master to build his kingdom and our job is to occupy doing the works of Jesus till he comes back. He will come back and ask for a reckoning. Lord, show us how to “occupy” till you come back.