David Bahn – Reflections

As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. ¹² He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. ¹³ Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ ¹⁴ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ ¹⁵ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. ¹⁶ The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ ¹⁷ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ ¹⁸ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ ¹⁹ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ ²⁰ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; ²¹ for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ ²² He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ ²⁴ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ ²⁵ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ²⁶ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ²⁷ But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

I’m not sure I like the end of this parable, “But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.” This is a hard saying. Retribution in such a harsh manner repulses me. But it is a stark warning. There are those enemies of God who will be slaughtered. God’s justice will be served. 

I suppose I don’t like it because I have not experienced the harsh and ugly treatment that God has. I’ve not given my Son only to have him crucified. I’ve not sent out emissaries only to have them rejected, dismissed, and killed. I’ve not had my people taken into captivity. I’ve not had my temple, the holy place of my promised presence, ransacked and destroyed. I’ve not had my faithful ones sawn in two, thrown to the lions, or skinned alive. (Sorry for the harsh language here, but I’m trying to get behind the harsh treatment of God’s enemies.)

How does Jesus fit into this picture? I note there are two groups of people who displease the owner of the vineyard in this parable. The owner is God. And those who receive the minas (a mina equals about 3 month’s wages) are God’s people – you and me. Some of us are more productive with the talents we’ve been given. Some are less. Some hide their talents altogether. Even though they are God’s people they think of him as severe, taking what he did not deposit, and reaping what he did not sow. I notice they are chided for their failure to produce and rebuked for their poor opinion of God. But they do not receive the same severe sentence as those who did not want to be ruled by God. I see a ray of light between them and the third steward. 

I cannot fail to draw a conclusion about this parable that relates to the secondary motivation for obedience and faithfulness. That’s fear. It’s not the primary motivation, but sometimes we need to haul ourselves up short rather than give in to temptation out of fear of God. Sometimes we need to use our talents for fear of being reprimanded if we do not.

Better always, we resist temptation and use our gifts faithfully because we love and trust in God. But this is a good reminder that we are to fear God as well. So we say, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” This is most certainly true!