Power, Corruption and Giving In So You Don't Get Hurt

Luke 19:11-27 tells the Parable of the 10 Minas. A story in which a rich ruler expects his servants to continue his investments while he is away, and one guy doesn't play by the rules!

This parable is interesting because people always assume that the King Jesus is talking about is himself; but this parable is not to be confused with the Parable of the Talents. Similar, but entirely different story! I want you to think about this parable a little bit differently. In this story, the King is not the good guy!

Jesus is telling this parable in the town of Jericho, a town frequented by King Herod and his son Archelaus. Two very unpopular people amongst the Jews. Our story tells us of a King who oppresses the people he rules over and his servants are employed to do his dirty work. The King is into corruption and loves receiving the biggest return from his clients; the poor of the nation. Think loan sharks and corrupt bankers. Who earns 100% profit on an investment?

In this parable, Jesus is telling us that it is not a good thing to work for someone who opressesses people and it's an even worse thing to get on the wrong side of such a person. Yet, Jesus wants us to be that person. Hold up! Jesus wants us to be the person who gets on the wrong side of the oppressor?

In the previous verses, Jesus tells the story of Zacchaeus, a guy who does a u-turn in his life and instead of taking money from the poor, gives much of his stuff away to the poor. Through doing a u-turn, Zac refuses to rip people off anymore: a move that could get him in a lot of trouble in Roman occupied Israel. Zac's no bad guy. He's the ancient Robin Hood, challenging corruption and giving to the poor. Seeing God's kingdom come here on earth.

So what can we learn from this? Zac isn't selfish. He chooses not to give in and will pay the price for that. What price are we willing to pay to see the end of corruption in power? How are we challenging the things that are happening to asylum seekers and the elderly and those on the fringes? What are we doing to bring salvation to the world; to make the world the way God would want it? If we are to live out salvation in Christ, we need to be challenge structures that exist that are keeping people down. Even if this means being unpopular. Even if it means we have to give up something. Even if it means we are risking what people think about us. Even if it means that it’s going to make our life a little harder.

Isaiah 58 calls for justice within our world. It calls for God followers to challenge oppression and corruption and to live righteously.

Practically, do we need to buy that extra coffee or coke or energy drink? Or we can share that money with someone who needs it more? Do we buy cheap clothes and sports gear we know were made in places where people are paid less than they need to survive, or do we choose to shop ethically and pay a higher price for the clothes we wear and things we use? Do we choose to support this system of profit and gain, or do we choose to turn away from it and live in a way that sees salvation come to the world?

Let's dare to be heard in the war against power and corruption. Let's dare to bring God's kingdom to reality here on earth.