Breaking the Word

As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If this day you only knew what makes for peace– but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." (Lk 19:41-44)

Now it is Jesus’ turn to cry. Till now we have seen the people crying to Jesus. People in distress came to him in big number and cried to him for intervention. They came to him crying for healing and life. Soon the women of Jerusalem would cry for Jesus  (Lk 23.27). Jesus is not immune to tears. In the gospel of John he cried at the tomb of Lazarus. Now here he cries over the city.

Is crying a moment of weakness? Should a messiah weep in front of the people? During his public ministry, he has always warned the people of impending judgement. The judgement came on them because they resisted the call of God for peace. (Unless you repent you will all perish – Lk 13.3-5). Jesus is now about to enter the city and he is aware of the impending destruction.

Luke makes a vivid report of the feelings that went on in the mind of Jesus. Jesus pours out his feeling in tears and expresses openly: “If this day you only …” People have chosen to ignore the moment when God was coming in solemn visitation. The city had rejected his earlier warnings and hence it is now heading for destruction. 

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.