Faith Daily | 17 November 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST

Almighty God,

whose sovereign purpose none can make void:

give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world,

knowing that your kingdom shall come,

and your will be done,

to your eternal glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 19: 11-28

11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,* and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” 14But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” 15When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” 17He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” 18Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” 19He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” 20Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” 22He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” 24He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” 25(And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) 26“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.” ’

28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: by Cathy Grant

As Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time, the end and goal of his long journey is approaching. He tells this parable to challenge his hearers to see and understand that his entering Jerusalem is in fact the long-awaited return of Israel’s God, the sovereign one, the rightful king.

His audience would have understood this parable. In the world of first-century Judaism, a story about a king and his servants would naturally be read as a story about God and Israel.

The challenging aspect of this story for his listeners (and us!) is that the king returns full of fiery judgement. Over the preceding chapters of Luke, Jesus has been warning that judgment will fall on the nation if they do not heed his call. Now God himself is coming, and the servant who has hidden his master’s money in a handkerchief will be found out.

Jesus speaks of the returning King as unwanted – the people want to keep the kingdom for themselves. Jesus is arriving to a Jerusalem that is rejecting his message. He comes to put to rights all that has gone wrong and in this story his judgment of those who reject him is swift.

This is a challenging reminder for we who still await the final coming of Jesus to our world, the final day of God’s judgement.

FINAL PRAYER: APBA p603

Everliving God,

before the earth was formed,

and even after it shall cease to be, you are God.

Break into our short span of life

and show us those things that are eternal,

that we may serve your purpose in all we do;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.