THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

216HE WAS MADE KING (19:15)Jesus was made king:"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then He sent for the servants towhom He had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.”(v. 15)When He came to punish the disobedient Jews; and when He shall come to judge theworld (see the Parable of the Talents—Mt 25:14).ACCOUNTABILITY (19:16-25)Then the citizens came to give an account of their investment:"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more'” (v. 16).The principal difference between this parable and that of the talents above referred to is,that the mina given to each seems to point out the gift of the Gospel, which is the same to all whohear it; but the talents distributed in different proportions, according to each man's ability, seemto intimate that God has given different capacities and advantages to men, by which this one giftof the Gospel may be differently improved.Jesus then responds:"'Well done, my good servant!' His master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthyin a very small matter, take charge of ten cities'” (v. 17).This is to be understood as referring to the new kingdom which the nobleman had justreceived. His former trustiest and most faithful servants he now represents as being madegovernors, under him, over a number of cities, according to the capacity he found in each; whichcapacity was known by the improvement of the minas."The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' His masteranswered, 'You take charge of five cities.'” (vv. 18-19)."Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laidaway in a piece of cloth. 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' His masterreplied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew,