Don’t Be Afraid

March 12, 2023

Luke 19:11-27

¹¹While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. ¹² He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. ¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ ¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ ¹⁵ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

¹⁶ “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ ¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ ¹⁸ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ ¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ ²⁰ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. ²¹ 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.’

²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ ²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’cv²⁵ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷ But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

Read Luke 19:11-15

1. Why did Jesus tell this parable?
2. What is symbolized by the servants who didn’t want the nobleman to become king?
3. What has God uniquely entrusted you with? How do you feel about him coming back and asking you what you have done with what he has entrusted you?

Read Luke 19:16-21

1. What do you think motivated the first two to make the investments that they did?
2. What was the third servant motivated by?
3. Which of the three servants do you identify with the most? Why? How does that show up in your day-to-day life?

Read Luke 19:22-25

1. What were the master’s expectations regarding the resources he had put in the care of all three servants? How would you describe God’s expectations of the gifts and resources He has placed in your care?
2. Does the master’s instruction in verse 24 feel fair to you? Why or why not?

Read Luke 19:26-27

1. These are difficult verses. Do your best to explain verse 26.
2. Now do your best to explain verse 27. What do you find troubling about it?