For the Joy Set Before Him: Jesus's Final Journey to JerusalemSample

Getting Close to Jerusalem

While people were listening to this, Jesus went on to tell a parable. They were, after all, getting close to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at any moment. Luke 19:11, NTFE

With Jerusalem nearly in sight, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Surely this was the moment they had been waiting for, which the prophets had foretold. Surely God’s reign would be established soon, and in Jerusalem Jesus would ascend David’s throne. The Roman occupation would be overthrown. God’s chosen people would once again be free.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus had tried to reshape these misplaced expectations. Now, with Jerusalem just ahead, Jesus took one more opportunity to illuminate the true nature of his kingdom through a parable.

He told the story of a nobleman who went to a distant country to receive a kingdom. Before leaving, he entrusted his servants with resources to invest. Some served faithfully during his absence, while others squandered the opportunity. Still others actively opposed his rule over them. When he returned as king, he dealt with each group in accordance with their deeds.

The message was clear but difficult: God’s kingdom would not appear immediately as they had hoped. A time of waiting was about to begin. During that time, some would oppose Jesus’s rule. Others would simply do nothing, not understanding his true character. But some would continue to serve him faithfully, even in his absence.

Reflection

Put yourself in the shoes of those in the crowd approaching Jerusalem:

• Are there any parts of Jesus’s parable that seem really clear to you?
• Are there any parts that seem unclear or particularly challenging?
• After Jesus finishes this parable, has the mood of the crowd changed?

Have you ever experienced something like this before: excited over something about to happen, but then crushed by an informer telling you that your expectations have been misplaced? Have you ever had to help others adjust their expectations? What did you learn from these experiences?