A Father’s Blessing, A Kingdom Inheritance
Reflective Reading: Matthew 25
In Matthew 25 we have the three-part teaching of the 10 Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Final Judgment. In today’s blog we are going to unpack these stories and consider how they all tie together. Ready? Let’s dive in…
In the first story, we read about five virgins who were wise and five who were foolish. But, before we go too far we must understand the cultural custom of a Jewish wedding. Many years ago, it was common for a Jewish wedding to consist of ten bridesmaids. After the betrothal, the future husband would go away to prepare a home for his bride. Then, he would return without prior notice to marry his bride. It was the responsibility of the bridesmaids and bride to be ready for the sudden and “expected” return of the groom. As soon as the bridesmaids heard the announcement cry, or trumpet blast, the bridesmaids were responsible to meet the groom. Part of their responsibility was to give light to the groom and his wedding party with their lanterns/torches.
The sudden return of the groom was a central focus of Jesus’ teaching here. In light of his imminent return, the bride is counting on her bridesmaids to be vigilant, watchful, and prepared. His return would be expected but unscheduled. The text states that all ten slumbered and slept. Without causing too much controversy, is it possible that the five wise virgins were prepared with enough oil, but not enough vigilance? If the text only stated that they slept then this would not be an issue but the word “slumbered,” is in reference to a lapse in alertness or readiness, which can lead to missing important events or failing to fulfill responsibilities. The five wise were able to enjoy the wedding celebration, but they are not commended as we will see in the next two parables.
Regarding the five foolish virgins, the consequence for their lack of preparation, watchfulness, and vigilance is restriction from the wedding feast. Though they eventually arrived, and pleaded to come in, the Lord of the banquet house said, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” The word “know” εἴδω, (eidō), refers to knowing by observation, seeing. It’s almost as if he is saying, “I knew I couldn’t depend upon you.” This response, "I know you not,” by the “Lord” is significant because it will be inversely repeated in the next parable with the servant who was given only one talent.
The next parable is that of the three servants who were each given a sizable amount of money (known as a “talent”). Scholars propose that a talent is worth anywhere from a few hundred to a quarter million dollars. The main emphasis is that each talent was worth a very large sum of money.
Regarding the Matthew 25 parable, three servants were given their master’s goods prior to his departure to a “far country.” This is not an uncommon practice when a master would be gone for an extended period. Without banks, the safest place to keep one’s money and possessions was with trustworthy servants.
To the first he gave 10, the next 5, and the last, only 1. (Keep in mind that each is receiving a significant amount.) To each of them, he gave according to their “several abilities.” It’s not important as to how much we are given, but in how much we invest and give a return on God’s investment in us.
We can learn much in how the first two servants get to work immediately. Though this idea of immediacy does not appear in the KJV, it does appear in most English translations. The third servant also went to work after his master left, but his work was that of digging a hole and burying the talent. As we read this story, we discover that the master returned “after a long time.” Like the ten virgins, there is another delay in the Lord’s coming and a sudden return.
Without covering the many spiritual lessons here, I would like to focus on the response of the third servant. “Lord, I knew you were a hard man.” Do you see the parallel between what the Lord said to the five unwise virgins? To the unwise he said, “I know you not.” The unprofitable servant said “I knew you.” If he had known him, then he would have done something profitable with the talent that he was given. Like the unwise virgins, if they had really known the bridegroom and loved the bride, they would have been more faithful, watchful, vigilant, and responsible.
God has given each of us talents and responsibilities according to our several abilities. Though the last servant only received one talent, he still was required to invest it and be profitable. Because he thought he “knew” his Lord, but really didn’t, he neglected the gift he received. Moreover, because he didn’t really know his Lord (lacked a personal relationship) he saw him only as hard and severe. The lack of an authentic relationship with God will distort one’s view of God’s nature, granting us excuses as to why we “neglect” or “misuse" the “talents” he has given to us.
It is interesting that though this servant didn’t know his Lord, his Lord knew him. The Lord said to him, “You wicked and lazy/useless servant.” There’s the real issue! He used his twisted view of his Lord, as hard and difficult, as an excuse to live a wicked and useless life. Had he truly known his Lord, he would have understood that the Lord had only great reward and joy awaiting him!
I realize this is long but I can’t leave out these last two illustrations. I believe you will be blessed. The next story is that of the Final Judgment. It is here we learn that while we are preparing for that final day, there are opportunities to serve the Lord by caring for those in need.
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?’ And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done to me’” (25:37-40).
Do you see the connection? Jesus is giving us a picture of how to best invest the talents he’s given to us—to care for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the prisoners, those who are destitute, and much more! He then tells us that those who did not care for the least of these will be sent into everlasting punishment.
In the first parable, we have five virgins who are welcomed, and five who are rejected. In the second parable we have two servants who are welcomed into the joy of the Lord, and one who is sent into outer darkness. In the final story, there are those who are welcomed with a blessing of the Father, receiving a Kingdom inheritance, and those who are rejected and sent into everlasting punishment. In each parable there are escalating rewards and punishments.
Each of the characters in these parables needed to be watchful, vigilant, living life with a sense of immediacy, living life with a sense of eternity, and living life with a sense responsibility.
Now for an unexpected ending. In the next chapter we have two main events: A woman pouring out precious and expensive ointment upon Jesus’ head, and Judas betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. These two illustrations now give us the grand finale of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24, 25 and 26. This woman poured out, most likely, all her savings. Scholars write that this ointment was a year’s worth of savings. She poured it out for Jesus’ burial. And more than that, she did it for the gospel! She spent all that she had for the gospel—for the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection! For that which represented the payment of our sins—the greatest return on investment that has ever been transacted!
Do you see it? Jesus is giving us the ultimate illustration of how to prepare in advance, invest our talents, and pour our lives out for the gospel. That’s what this woman did—she poured it all out—she gave it all, and held nothing back. As a result, her testimony, inspiring countless others to do the same, would be told until Jesus returns! The return for her investment and care for what is most important in this world is beyond exponential! Her investment was in Jesus. "And when you have done it unto the least of these, you’ve done it unto me."
The contrast with Judas is chilling. The text reveals that Judas also has been given money to “invest.” We know the story. He uses it to betray Jesus.
And there you have it. There are only two ways that our “talents” can be invested. We are either using our talents for the furtherance of the gospel, or we are wasting our lives, and possibly our eternal lives, on temporary pleasures or earthly pursuits. Those who pour out their lives and invest in what is eternal, can look forward to hearing our Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (25:23).
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading and Listening:
The Gardener’s Apprentice (Ages 9+)
The Lamplighter (Ages 12+)
