Breaking the Word

While they were listening to him speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, "A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.' …

'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.  Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'"  After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.  (Lk 19:11-28)

 

 

The nobleman who wanted to become a king trusted his servants. He gave them work to complete before his return. The nobleman believed that he would return as king.  People were not fond of the nobleman. He had enemies among the people. But he treated the workers equally. He gave them all equal amount to engage in trades.

 

The servants worked differently. One was diligent. He received the praise and reward for his work. The second worker also was diligent but probably according to his capacity so he was also rewarded according to his ability. The third one did not make any effort and he excused himself for his laziness and inability.  Servants are credible  only with regard to their work.

 

“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.” This is the message for the kingdom. It seems very strange. But this is a cryptic way of saying, “To everyone who has (made more out of what is given to him), more will be given, but from the one who has not (made extra out of what was given) even what h has will be taken away.

He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost." (Lk 19:1-10)

 

 

Zacchaeus was a tax collector, he was a wealthy man and he was short in stature. As a tax collector he was considered to be a sinner by the people. Jesus came to bring good news to the poor but Zacchaeus was a wealthy man and hence he was out of Jesus circle.  As the normal run of the events, Zacchaeus would not have been a follower of Jesus.

 

He was seeking to meet Jesus. His interest was not just intentional but it was also seen in action. He ran ahead and climbed the tree. He made a move to meet Jesus. This was considered positive by Jesus. The little effort made by Zacchaeus was rewarded by Jesus. His little effort made Jesus to relate with him. Jesus willingly offers to dine with him.

 

This relationship with Jesus makes him repent. He changed his life style. Zacchaeus was willing to set right his life and this in return made him associate with the poor. Zacchaeus’ interest was revealed in his action. This effort was rewarded by Jesus by offering relationship. And this relationship made him repent and set him back in the society.