There is a need to know things and education in many countries these days is a wonderful thing. But there are other things we need to know. There are two different points Jesus makes that we read today in Luke 19. The first is when he weeps over Jerusalem and says, “would that you … had known on this day the things that make for peace … For the days will come upon you when your enemies will … tear you down to the ground … they will not leave one stone upon another in you because you did not know the time of your visitation” (verses 42-44).

In a physical sense they knew the presence of Jesus, but very few knew him as the true Messiah, the son of God. It is the same today, very few embrace the impact of Christ – what he was, what he taught, the meaning this gave to life, fails to come alive in their minds and so transform them.

The second point arises in the parable Jesus told about a nobleman who gave ten minas to each of his servants (more than 2 years’ wages) for them to use in his service while he was away. One of them fails to make any use of it and on the nobleman’s return he says to him, “Lord, here is your mina which I kept laid away in a handkerchief” (verse 20). He is rebuked for his failure to do any work for the nobleman and make any gains for him, and is told, “… you wicked servant! You knew I was a severe man …” (verse 22).

Jesus a severe man! Well, do you think it right to reward laziness? How true and wonderful is the love of God and Jesus – yet in responding to that love we must show our love by more than words. The aged Apostle John wrote, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

Let us all live in a way that shows both in word and actions, that we are faithful servants ready at an hour that will surprise us, to greet our nobleman.