Luke 19 -- The Cause Of A Twisted & Deformed Soul

Verses 11-27 have buffaloed me in the past, I think, because it’s too easy to make Jesus the man leaving to become king, and the reaction this man has to his servants upon returning doesn’t sound very Christ-like.  However, it became clear as I read today that it was the servant’s heart that was the problem, not his master’s.

My commentary talked about the fact that each servant received the same amount (possibly “the Gospel”):  “The important thing was that they give back to their master more than he has given them.  How they did it was up to them, so long as it was legal and profitable.”

The commentary writer links the coin given to each servant and their investment of it (or lack thereof) to witnessing:

“When it comes to witnessing, all believers start on the same level, so the reward is according to faithfulness and achievement … the reward for faithful work is always – more work! … Faithfulness now is preparation for blessed service then.”

The one man who was scared of his master and hid his coin shows us this:  “It is a basic principle of the Christian life that wasted opportunity means loss of reward and possibly loss of the PRIVILEGE of service.”

Here comes the rub:

“This servant was unfaithful because his heart was not right toward his master.  He saw his master as a hard man who was demanding and unfair.  The servant had no love for his master; in fact he feared him and dreaded to displease him … It is sad when a Christian is motivated by slavish fear instead of loving faith.  While there is a proper ‘fear of the Lord’ that should be in every Christian’s heart, that ‘fear’ should be the respect of a loving child and not the dread of a frightened slave.  Nothing twists and deforms the soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God.”

I can remember when I had such a conception of You, Father, and my soul was indeed twisted and deformed.  It wasn’t until You sought me out and showed me my worth in Your eyes, despite my sinfulness, that I was able to understand how worthy and glorious You really ARE.  Thank You for straightening out my understanding of You.  Please continue to help me to live worthy of all that You’ve done for me. 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford