Receiving For Himself A Kingdom (Luke 19:12)

 


Friday, April 4, 2025


Psalm 80

Exodus 4:27-6:1

Luke 19:11-27


Receiving For Himself A Kingdom (Luke 19:12)


When reading a parable like today’s, we get a sense of the wisdom of our Christian forefathers when they decided it was appropriate to read several Psalms a day, alongside other readings. Because Jesus’ words make wonderful sense when read alongside Psalm 2.


In that Psalm we read about a populace grumbling at their ruler, and that ruler being given a great kingdom. There is also the lesson that this ruler is one whom we can and should kiss; but should we spurn that love, then his anger is very great, and the results for that person very poor indeed.


Jesus is that ruler in the Psalm, and the nobleman in today’s parable. He is about to approach Jerusalem, and perform that great work of redemption on the cross. By virtue of this he will be raised from death, ascend into heaven, and be given all things by the Father. The people to whom Jesus told this parable before his crucifixion knew this in the whispers of Old Testament prophecy; today on the other side we have an even clearer understanding. Yet this was the plan all along, God’s plan which he first announced when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden and were told about one who would crush the head of the serpent.


So our great King is off in heaven receiving his kingdom from his Father; today we learn what we ought to be doing before he returns from his coronation. It is the same message we have heard over the past few weeks; that we, as his subjects, have been gifted heavenly wealth to invest. When our King returns, he expects to see a return on his investment; he desires to see fruit; he wants us to take the gifts he has given us and to make the most of them.


None of us know when we will die. Every second we have on this earth is a precious gift that God has given us. These may seem like over-worn tropes, but we must constantly return to them and make them fresh again in our minds. Our Lord won us by virtue of his own blood; he suffered the punishment for our sins so that we may have these gifts of his and increase them.


Knowing that your eternity is secure in Christ, what are you doing with the life he has given you here and now?


Lord Jesus, we are your wealth, whom you bought with nothing less than your precious blood. Give us an increasing knowledge of what blessings you have given us, so that we may be eager to use them for your glory. Come, Lord Jesus.

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