He said, therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for Himself a kingdom, and to return. Luke 19:12
Many of the games that people can play on their computers have a special feature called the Boss button. The Boss button comes in handy when someone is playing the game on their computer at work. If the boss happens to walk into the room, it’s not a good thing to have a game on the screen when you are supposed to be working. By clicking the Boss button, you can quickly hide the game and make your work appear on the screen. The Boss button helps to keep you from being caught playing games. But it also enables you to play games when you shouldn’t. Unfortunately, it’s part of human nature to be taking advantage of the absence of authority. Remember how we acted up in school when the teacher had to leave the room? Jesus is reminding his disciples in a parable that he’s going to leave the room, and he expects them to be responsible.
The world today doesn’t bother with a Boss button when it comes to being concerned about their sins. Immorality and apathy are rampant and are spreading, and shame is becoming unknown. People don’t care anymore how rotten their lives are or how rotten the behaviour is of those around them. You and I live in this world of immorality, apathy, and shamelessness. And those things rub off on us more than we realize. And too often we let things slip, because our Master is absent (or we act like we think He is). But our text tells us plainly that He is going to return. And there will be no Boss button to push.
The Lord Jesus has given us responsibilities to perform while He is away. He expects us to be faithful to Him, to promote His Kingdom, to proclaim His Gospel, to help His people. Are we conducting His business or are we so busy with our own affairs that His affairs get short shrift?
He is coming again to receive us into His kingdom. How wonderful it would be to have Him tell us how much He appreciates our faithfulness while we awaited His return. -Jim MacIntosh