Double or Nothing?

Posted by jeremyhazelton on Jul 1, 2009 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

Whenever I encounter this parable I immediately think about the ways that it has been taught to me before, and I am not suggesting that my teachers got it wrong, but the basic principal was this: Don’t squander your gifts or you will lose them. I suppose that lesson is present in these words of Jesus, but there seems to be way more happening. Jesus is gathered around a table with “sinners” at the house of Zacchaeus (the wee little man), Zac has just made a promise to repay all the people that he has cheated, to change his life, and Jesus promises him salvation. Then he starts this story about how difficult it is to please the king (who I assume is Jesus himself.) Jesus’ words seem to be concerned with our rejection of Him as our king, but he focuses keenly on what we will do in his absence. It seems to me that Jesus is currently away being appointed King (by God in Heaven) and when he returns, we (his servants, to whom he has given resources) will have to give an accounting of what we did while he was gone. Those of us who have used the resources he has given us wisely to produce fruit (that is bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus, meeting the physical needs of the least of these, making disciples, etc.) will be rewarded, but to those of us who sat on our laurels, we will be cast out. The 3 verses that I focus on here have to do with producing fruit. It really is that simple, the King has given us an opportunity to produce fruit and expects us to do so. My approach cannot be passive, assuming that people will come to me and benefit from my wisdom (cough), rather I must be intentional about creating fruit by working hard, going out, and using what God has given me (resources, talents, opportunities). My endeavors to create fruit are exactly what the King is looking for, and he longs to reward me when I have been faithful.