Introduction:
The Parable of the Ten Minas is a teaching of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 19:11-27. This parable is often compared to the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30, though there are distinct differences between the two. The parable is set within the context of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and serves as a lesson on stewardship, responsibility, and the coming kingdom of God.

Context and Setting:
The parable is delivered by Jesus as He approaches Jerusalem, with His followers expecting the imminent establishment of God's kingdom. Luke 19:11 states, "While they were listening to this, He went on to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God would appear imminently."

The Parable:
In the parable, a nobleman is preparing to travel to a distant country to receive a kingdom and then return. Before leaving, he calls ten of his servants and gives each one a mina, instructing them to engage in business until he returns. A mina was a unit of currency, representing about three months' wages.

Upon his return, the nobleman calls his servants to account for their business dealings. The first servant reports that his mina has earned ten more, to which the nobleman responds, "Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities" (Luke 19:17). The second servant reports a gain of five minas and is rewarded with authority over five cities.

However, another servant comes forward, having hidden his mina out of fear. He returns it without any profit, saying, "Master, here is your mina, which I have kept laid away in a piece of cloth" (Luke 19:20). The nobleman rebukes this servant for his lack of initiative and orders that his mina be taken and given to the one who has ten minas.

Interpretation and Themes:
The parable emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship and the expectation that followers of Christ will actively engage in the work of the kingdom. The nobleman represents Christ, who, after His ascension, will return to establish His kingdom. The servants symbolize believers who are entrusted with the resources and responsibilities of the kingdom.

The rewards given to the faithful servants highlight the principle that those who are faithful with little will be entrusted with much. The unfaithful servant's fear and inaction serve as a warning against complacency and the failure to utilize God-given gifts and opportunities.

The Rejection of the Nobleman:
An additional element of the parable is the rejection of the nobleman by his subjects, who send a delegation to express their refusal to have him as king. This aspect reflects the rejection of Jesus by many of His contemporaries and foreshadows the opposition faced by His followers.

Conclusion:
The Parable of the Ten Minas challenges believers to be diligent and proactive in their service to God, using their talents and resources for His glory. It underscores the certainty of Christ's return and the accountability that will accompany it, urging a life of faithful stewardship in anticipation of the coming kingdom.