THE COST OF NOT BEING A DISCIPLE

3/25/84

THE COST OF NOT BEING A DISCIPLE
Luke 19: 11 - 28

JESUS CHRIST had just had the joy of seeing Zacchaeus respond in
faith. It was a story of salvation. With this experience as a
background He told a story to illustrate the importance of
servanthood.
The people of His day well understood the story in light of
current events of their time. Herod the Great had died leaving
part of his kingdom to Herod Archelaus. The will had to be
ratified by Rome. The people hated Archelaus. A delegation of
Jews went to Rome to protest the possible ratification. Caesar
Augustus approved Archelaus appointment as tetrarch of Judea and
Samaria. When the new ruler arrived home, he rewarded his
faithful supporters and punished those who opposed him.
Jesus told this story as He was leaving Jericho on His way to
Jerusalem. Rumors were rampant regarding Him. Some said He was
going to overthrow the Roman ruler. Others said He was going to
establish a new kingdom. The celebration of Passover was at
hand. Israel had been liberated from Egypt years before and this
was the celebration of that event. Patriotism rose to unusual
heights at Passover. The ambition was that this would be the
Passover when Israel would once again be delivered from another
suppressor.
Christ told the story to illustrate what was about to happen to
Him and the events that would follow. In the story He is the
noblemen who went away. That spoke of His ascension.
His return is depicted in the return of the noblemen.
TODAY we live in the time between the nobleman's going and His
coming again.
Keep in mind this is a story of servi ...

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