Counting On A Resurrection

This second part of the next passage (starting in verse 11) is in a section called 'Postponed Kingdom' in Fruchtenbaum's 'Ariel's Harmony of Gospels' and it reminded me of back before I was a believer and I thought of Christianity as a weak person's theology. I remember thinking that some people needed to believe in a future Heavenly reward so that they could endure the hardships of life so they just invented it.

This next passage takes place right after they leave the house of a man who was miraculously changed.

"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return." - Luke 19:8-12 KJV

Jesus is very clear in what He says to them. This kingdom isn't 'pie in the sky'. It also isn't all here of Earth. That day must have seemed magical. They came into town. Jesus calls a man out of a tree. These blue collar working class men eat the best food in a rich man's house who becomes a brother and changes his ways after a short time with Jesus. It must have been a very good day.

Then Jesus hits them with this 'nobleman goes into a far country' parable. Here is the full text.

"As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, 'A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.' But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to reign over us.' When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made five minas.' And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' Then another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' He said to him, 'I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.' And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten minas!' 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.''

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem." - Luke 19:11-28 ESV

Notice the last verse says that He went on ahead. I bet He did. That parable must have hit them hard. They lagged behind and the wind of the 'good day' must have gotten knocked right out of their sails.

Jesus was the nobleman. The far country was death... a horrible death on a cross.

It is very natural to look at the world and say, 'We had better just make the best of what we have.' but Jesus paints a different picture. He is counting on a resurrection. He is living His life relying on the hope that He will be raised from the dead and He is teaching his disciples a theology that relies on them being raised from the dead also.

Jesus isn't teaching the 'If you are good boys and girls you will all get lollipops in Heaven later' doctrine I falsely thought before a was a believer. These are adult ideas involving trust, responsibility, honor and most of all faith.

The 'heros of the faith' chapter in Hebrews 11 is a long one so I will only quote the last part of it.

"... and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:" - Hebrews 11:35 KJV

Do we believe in a better resurrection?

If we do then Jesus' doctrine will make perfect sense. We will be able to celebrate the good days and endure the hard ones with a joy and peace deep inside us as the storm rages outside.

Jesus will return from that far country and there will be rewards for those who have invested wisely.

--