Biblical Meaning Of Occupy Till I Come! Beloved, let us take a moment to reflect on a profound truth that the Lord Jesus shared with His disciples—a truth that speaks to our hearts and our call to faithfulness in the here and now. We find ourselves in the book of Luke, where our Lord is journeying toward Jerusalem, fully aware of the cross that awaits Him.
Along the way, He encounters Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and shortly after, prepares for His triumphal entry into the holy city. But nestled between these significant events is a parable, a story that carries a weighty message for all who follow Christ. It’s a call to “Occupy Till I Come”—a call to faithful stewardship and unwavering service until our King returns.
Biblical Meaning Of Occupy Till I Come
As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, the disciples were filled with anticipation. They believed that the kingdom of God was about to be established, and that their Master would soon be seated on His throne. They even argued among themselves about who would hold positions of power in this new government, as we see in Mark 10:35-37 and Luke 9:46. In modern terms, they were debating who would be the chief of staff, who would be Secretary of State, and so on.
But Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, knew that their focus needed to shift. They were thinking about the kingdom in terms of immediate power and glory, but Jesus needed them to understand that there was still work to be done. He used a parable to clarify their mission, and ours as well.
The Parable of the Nobleman
In this parable, Jesus speaks of a nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom. Before leaving, the nobleman entrusts his servants with a portion of his wealth—a pound each—and commands them to “occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).
Now, this nobleman clearly represents our Lord Jesus Christ, who, after His resurrection, ascended to heaven to receive His kingdom. And just like the servants in the parable, we are His followers, left here on earth with a divine charge: to occupy, to be busy with the Lord’s business, until He returns.
Understanding “Occupy Till I Come”
When the Lord says, “Occupy till I come,” He is not telling us to simply take up space or to idly wait for His return. No, the word “occupy” here means to engage in business, to invest, and to be productive. It’s a call to be active and diligent in the work of the Kingdom. The Lord has entrusted us with gifts, resources, and opportunities, and He expects us to use them to advance His Kingdom.
Beloved, the emphasis is not on the amount that was given to each servant, but on the fact that all were given something. Every one of us has been gifted by the Lord, and we are responsible for using those gifts for His glory. As we read in Romans 12:6, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.”
The Faithful Servants
When the nobleman returns, he calls his servants to account. Two of them have been faithful, investing their pounds and multiplying what they were given. They are praised and rewarded for their diligence. Notice how they give the credit to their Lord, saying, “Thy pound hath gained ten pounds” (Luke 19:16). They recognize that without their Lord’s initial investment, they could have done nothing.
This is a reminder for us that everything we have—our talents, our time, our resources—comes from the Lord. We are merely stewards, entrusted with these gifts to use for His purposes. When we serve faithfully, we bring glory to God, not to ourselves.
The Unfaithful Servant
But then there is the third servant, who did nothing with the pound he was given. He simply hid it in a napkin, afraid to take any risks. When the nobleman returns, this servant is rebuked, and his pound is taken from him. He lost what he would not use.
This part of the parable speaks to the carelessness of those who do not use the gifts that God has given them. Whether out of fear, indifference, or laziness, they fail to contribute to the advancement of the Kingdom. The Lord’s response is clear: those who refuse to use their gifts will lose them. What a sobering thought! God may very well take away what we neglect to use for His glory and give it to someone else who will be faithful.
The Consequences of Rejection
The parable also speaks of those who outright reject the nobleman’s rule, saying, “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). This is a picture of those who reject Christ. The Lord’s words are severe and certain—those who reject Him will face judgment. But for those who receive Him, who gladly submit to His rule, there is forgiveness, cleansing, and eternal life.
Prayers and Declarations
Let us pause here and pray:
Prayer for Faithful Stewardship: “Lord Jesus, we thank You for the gifts You have entrusted to us. We ask for Your wisdom and strength to use them faithfully for Your Kingdom. Help us to occupy until You come, to be diligent and productive in the work You have given us. May we never grow weary in well-doing but continue to serve You with all our hearts, knowing that our labor is not in vain. Amen.”
Declaration of Commitment: “I declare that I will be a faithful steward of the gifts the Lord has given me. I will occupy till He comes, using my time, talents, and resources for His glory. I refuse to be idle or indifferent, and I commit to serving my King with diligence and joy.”
Conclusion
Beloved, the Lord’s return is certain, though the timing is unknown. We are called to be faithful until that day, to occupy until He comes. Let us not grow weary or disillusioned. Instead, let us press on, investing in the Kingdom with all that we have been given. When our Lord returns, may He find us busy with His business, ready to hear those precious words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
As we go forward from this place, let us remember that our service to the Lord is not bound by time or circumstances. Whether in our youth or our later years, we have a role to play in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Let us take the word “quit” out of our vocabulary and replace it with “continue.” May we all be found faithful when our Lord returns. Amen.