Passage Read: Luke 19-20
Meditation Verses: 19:15-17
Thought
This nobleman decided to test some of his servants to see which were loyal and reliable, because he was looking for those whom he could trust to help him rule over the kingdom he sought, if it was granted. He didn't test every servant, but only a select few. One of those he tested apparently was only a good servant while the master was near. He looked faithful but he concealed bitterness against the master in his heart. The other two were good and faithful servants, and he gifted each authority over cities in his new kingdom, according to each one's ability. This is more revealing of Jesus' plans than perhaps we realize. Jesus has gone away to receive a kingdom from His Father, and it will be granted. He will be given rule over all the nations of the earth. And we who believe in Him have been promised to reign with Him for a thousand years and beyond. How will we reign? Over what will we reign? There will be nations and peoples that live in regions and provinces and counties and cities and towns and villages, and Jesus will need reliable and faithful servants who rule according to His desire, who carry out His will over the people in each location. He will need princes and governors and mayors and supervisors.
Application
How I serve Him today, how loyal and willing and dedicated to do His will and seek His purposes and goals here and now will be used to determine where I serve in the hierarchy of His global empire after He returns. This life is a test to determine my loyalty and devotion to Him, so that He can reward me with position and responsibility in His kingdom when He comes to reign. That has been God's plan from the beginning, when He created Adam to father nations and tribes and clans and families, over which he would rule as the highest and original patriarch. God intends to reward His loyal servants with people to lead, guide, train and discipline. There is room for ambition in all this, but the greater the ambition, the more I need to serve His purposes here and now. The more I humble myself, give up my wants and wishes, and gladly seek first His kingdom and righteousness, the more He can entrust to me in that day.