and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
This isn't really what we want to hear, if we're honest. We always tend to assume that the Kingdom of God will appear here immediately, just like the audience of Jesus does this morning. He is nearing Jerusalem and everyone knows that is significant. Finally, a climax. Finally, all our oppressors are cast out. The Romans can no longer bother us. Finally, our tears are wiped away. The people aren't wrong that Jerusalem represents an important climax in salvation history. But things aren't ending. They are just beginning.
'Engage in trade with these until I return.'
The LORD gives us that which is more precious than fire-tried gold (cf. 1 Pet. 1:7). He gives us faith and insists that we do more with it than hide it in a handkerchief. He gives us gifts and asks that we use them. He is not unreasonable. He just wants us to act "in proportion to the faith".
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (cf. Rom. 12:6-8).
The LORD wants to tell us:
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.
Even putting the resources he gives us in the bank to collect interest counts for something. This is still an act of faith. This is exposing the gifts we are given to, shall we say, the market conditions. This act of faith is met with blessings. We ourselves do not create these blessings. Rather, they are interest. But some exposure is necessary. Foregoing some security is necessary. The resources are given to us. The blessings come when they are used. But to risk is our to choose. The LORD gives us that freedom. But if we do not risk, we will not gain. If we are unwilling to lose our lives we will not gain life eternal (cf. Mat. 16:25).
He replied, ‘I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
All we need to do is use this wealth we are given in proportion to our faith. Because of God's grace to use it at all yields increase. This is what the economy of the Kingdom of God looks like. We are being trained in citizenship. And maybe it is because this economy is so different from the economy of effort and prestige that the world uses that there are those who want no part of it.
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
'We do not want this man to be our king.'
That is a pretty substantial effort to take just to go and shout down the future king and complain. But if we sense that our rights to pride are at risk do we become similarly violent? If we are used to a certain amount of acknowledgement for what we do and the effort we put in can we stomach a new world where that doesn't matter nearly as much? If our accomplishments must give way to what the LORD does within us are we ready to accept it?
The LORD is helping us get ready. He is testing us in small ways so that we can live happily in a Kingdom where he is all in all (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28). He is helping us learn to live alongside angels.
Day and night they do not stop exclaiming:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,
who was, and who is, and who is to come.”
Note that they are not stopping to take any thought of themselves.
We are called to join the twenty-four elders in worship before the "one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever". We are called to imitate what we see them do today:
They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:
“Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things;
because of your will they came to be and were created.”
The rhythm of the heavenly liturgy calls us to self-forgetful worship before the throne. Let us embrace that rhythm. Let it penetrate even our daily service so that all that we do might be for the greater glory of God.
Praise the LORD in his sanctuary,
praise him in the firmament of his strength.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for his sovereign majesty
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