Life of Christ Lesson 119: Parable of the Pounds {Difference Between Saving and Saying-only Faith}

Luke 19:11-27

Instead of looking for a Messiah/Deliverer Who was a political answer to their physical bondage to Rome, the people of Israel would have been looking for a spiritual answer to their bondage to sin.  The Lord knew the people were expecting Him to march into Jerusalem (He was on His way to celebrate His final Passover there) and use His miraculous powers to defeat the Romans and take over the city and nation.  As He was getting ready to depart Jericho and embark on the 6-hour walk to the Holy City He again attempted to prepare His disciples for what was ahead, and He did so by another parable, "The Parable of the Pounds".  It taught them the nature of the position He was about to take up and the position they, His servants, must soon fill.  He would be departing; they would be left behind to carry on His business in His absence.  He would return one day to set up the promised Messianic Kingdom, but until then there was much to be done through His people.  He wanted them to think of their present responsibilities instead of wasting time basking in thoughts of personal glory in the future.

The outline for this lesson is: "The Departure of the King," "The Dut of the Servants," "The Disdain of the Citizens," and "The Day of the Return".  We talk a lot about the difference between saving faith and saying-only faith.