All the people of Jericho spoke about Jesus. Some of them honored him and most of them rejected him, for he ate with a sinner, and violated the customs of the lawyers. They did not grasp his faithful love, nor did they wish this meek man who overstepped the traditions of the nation to be a king over them. They wanted a mighty king with sword and spear, and not a merciful one bowing down over the small and the brokenhearted. So they hated and refused him. They probably prayed to God within their hearts, saying: "O Lord, would that this Jesus might not become a king over us!"
Some of them showed enthusiasm to Jesus and his power, thinking that the kingdom of God would come as soon as he had entered Jerusalem. By this parable, Jesus made clear to his disciples that the coming of the kingdom would be too late. He also explained to his enemies that his kingdom would come in spite of their obstinacy, when he had ascended to his Father to receive the kingdom of the universe, the power of the Highest, and the great glory.
His followers were like the ten servants whom their master gave each one pound that they might do business while he was gone. He gave each one of them equally the same amount, which indicates that Jesus had given each believer equally the same amount in forgiveness, grace, and power that we might move, work, and serve through them, not as masters dominating over others, but as faithful servants experienced in tiny things. Jesus had given you small gifts; so what are you doing for him? Do you move, or sleep? Do you hate your Lord, or do you love him?
When the master was crowned a king over his city, in spite of its people’s refusal, he came back late, and took his kingdom with one masterstroke. As such Jesus comes and reaps the entire world with one stroke. Then all the nations will have to stand before his great throne and each one will give account for what he had done with the gifts deposited to him by God.
The faithful servants came joyfully, and presented their profits. The first had gained a great profit. Yet, he did not say: "I have worked with prudence", but testified the power and ability of his master’s gift. We are not successful in ourselves on the day of judgment, but it is the power of our Lord that willed, by grace, that we should be made perfect in our weakness. We can, through our slow hearts, stop the flowing of grace, but we cannot originate it and make it flow. It does everything good spontaneously, in and around us, even in small services at home and in society, if we responded, and did not object to it.
The Lord said to the obedient, faithful servant: "The whole grace worked in you. You became faithful in a very little, and obedient to the spiritual drawing in treating the poor and the harmless. Now I give you authority over ten states, not only over a hundred or thousand pounds, but also over millions and thousands. Your faithfulness and diligence in the way of grace qualify you to bear the responsibility of mercy for wide distances and regions. Christ gives his authority, power, and might to each humble and faithful worker that his kingdom may come and grow through faithful services.
When the second faithful servant came to his master, he did the same as the first one. He made apparent not his own activity, but the power of grace alone. And Jesus gave him authority over five states in his kingdom according to his faithfulness and diligence in small things.
Did you know that God, in his kingdom, entrusts his faithful people with gradual, progressive jobs and services? Such authorization depends on the amount of faithfulness, condescension, commitment, constant praying, and striving for faith. Do you tell people continuously about Jesus, and care for their spiritual life? Do you distribute pamphlets rightly, and sacrifice your time continuously? Do you love your enemies and pray for your adversary?
Your zeal in the beginning of your services does not judge the fruit of grace in you, but your perseverance in small things, your faithfulness, and your patience originate your success in the kingdom of your Lord.
The third servant was careless and lazy. He was afraid of the glory of his king, and had probably cooperated a little with the king’s enemies and hated him, for he had to serve him without any apparent reward. He was not free so as to live as he wished, so he hid the money of his lord and did not use it for himself, as the other seven servants did. He took no care about it, forgot it, and lived indifferently. And when his master came back, he became disturbed, and then confessed his negligence openly. This confession did not help him, for he did not like the king and did not dare to use his gift. Therefore his lord took the grace from him, and called him a wicked servant. He did not punish him with strokes, but took from him what remained of the grace in his hand; and he became penniless. This lazy man wanted to remain neutral, keeping pace with his lord and the world, for and against God, and thus he lost all grace. Dear brother, do you fear God? Study and carry on his will. Do you know your many gifts, the mind, muscles, money, strength, and time? Use them for the service of others, lest your Lord takes them from you. Do not forget that your prayers deposited in the bank of the love of God bring a great profit, and result in the everlasting fruit.
He who does not work in the way of love, becomes automatically selfish, and unfit for a profitable service. In the kingdom of God, we find a fearful law with respect to the growth and deficiency in grace: he who is faithful in a very little, becomes rich in Spirit, more gifted, and abundantly blessed; but he who serves two masters, and takes no care about the service given to him, becomes lukewarm in his prayers, loses faith, and his love dies. Consequently he becomes empty, dead, and corrupt, judging himself by himself. Are you growing up, or are you becoming deficient?
Jesus’ enemies will definitely suffer severe torment, for Christ is not only love, but also righteousness, holiness, and truth. Whoever refuses his love, requires his judgment. The Merciful God is just and austere. He condemns his enemies without pity, consumes, and destroys them. The judgment of God will not immediately come, but it will become perfect in the second coming of Christ. Then his glory results in grace for the faithful, and destruction for the selfish and the lazy.