Luke 19:11-27 And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem… I. LIFE OUGHT TO BE ONE OF OCCUPATION. World a great workshop. II. WORK SHOULD BE RECEIVED AS FROM CHRIST. He says, "Occupy." We must make sure that our occupation, or any part of it, is not in opposition to His will. III. WORK TRULY PERFORMED LEADS TO AND PREPARES FOR HIGHER WORK. "Occupy till I come." When He came it was to give kingdoms instead of pounds. The schoolboy does not need costly books. The young apprentice has his hand and eye trained by working on cheap materials. Every duty faithfully discharged is a step on God's ladder of promotion. Do not wait for some great opportunity. The born artist makes his first pictures with a bit of chalk or burnt stick. IV. THE WHOLE LIFE SHOULD BE SOLEMNIZED AND GUIDED BY THE THOUGHT OF CHRIST'S COMING. "Occupy till I come." The irrational creatures instinctively and necessarily perform their parts. The earth was kept by them till the householder, man, appeared. But the thought of Christ's coming, the thought of meeting Him to give in our account, is necessary for man's right living here. Some say that men are simply to act their part, without thinking of a future. But a man cannot do this. As the sailor, the traveller, knows whither he is going before he sets out, and makes his preparations and steers his course accordingly, so must we. A ship simply set adrift — a traveller merely wandering on — is most unlikely to reach any happy haven. We must give account. We are moving on to the Judgment-seat of Christ. Duties done or neglected, opportunities improved or wasted, will meet us there. (E. F. Scott.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. |
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