Matthew: Chapter 25
Chapter 25 records Jesus continuing the message about end times, this time with parables to illustrate key truths. The parables are to show what is expected of people who know about the end times and how they are to prepare for it.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Verses 1-13 contains the parable of the ten virgins. It goes as such. The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and five were foolish. Both the groups took lamps with them, but only the wise had oil in jars for the lamps. It took a long time for the bridegroom to arrive and finally at midnight a cry rang out, "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!". Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones asked the wise ones to give some oil as their lamps were going out. The wise ones however asked the foolish ones to go and buy some oil for themselves, as they don't have enough to share.
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| The wise and foolish virgins |
While they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet and the door was shut. Later the others also came and asked to be given entry into the banquet. However, they weren't allowed inside.
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| "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' " Matthew 25:11,12 |
The contrast between the two groups will be reflected in the end times as well. Both the groups knew that they have to wait and be prepared. But neither knew the exact time. One group however was well prepared, and the other was careless and lethargic in their preparation. During the end times, the LORD will honor those who are fully prepared, and the ones who aren't wouldn't get to share the same glory as those who were prepared.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13
The Parable of the Talents
Verses 14-30 contains the parable of talents. (Talent is a unit of weight common during the biblical times. One talent is approximately 35 kilograms.) The parable goes as such. A certain man about to leave on a long journey, called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
The man who received five talents, put it to work, and gained five more. Similarly, the one who received two talents, used it to gain two more. But the man who had received the one talent, went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
After a long time, the master returned and settled accounts with the servants. The man who had received five talents brought the other five. "Master," he said, "you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more."
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:21
Likewise, the man with two talents reported to his master, and was praised and shared his masters happiness. Then the man who had received the one talent came. "Master," he said, "I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you."
"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest." Matthew 25:26,27
Here again, we see a contrast between the servants. All were given some amount of talents based on their ability. The good and faithful ones used that to gain more for their master. Whereas the wicked and lazy one did not do anything, but justified himself by blaming his master. That too falsefully, as evident from the doings of the other two servants. For his misdeeds, he gets punished and looses all the good he potentially could have gotten.
'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 25:28-30
In our time here on earth, we are given skills, abilities, wealth etc. And for everything we have, we are accountable to the LORD. The way in which we use the things given to us will gain us the title of "Good and faithful" or "Wicked and lazy". We are provided things, so that it is of use to everyone around us and not just for us. Being useful to others is our gain. And to be fruitful is also fulfilling the will of the Father.
The Sheep and the Goats
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:34-36
The righteous will then answer him, 'Lord, when did we do all these to you.' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
The King will ask the others on his left to depart from him, as they did not do anything for the "least". They will be thrown into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Who are the "least"? They are the ones who need food, shelter, comfort and companionship but have none. To do the will of the Father is also to take care of the physical needs of those who can't have them met themselves. One group fulfilled the needs of the needy, while others didn't.
Further, once the physical needs are met, spiritual needs have to be met as well. The food of the word of God. The thirst of the Gospel and love of God. The companionship from the fellowship of the Church. The shelter and protection of the grace of God.
Thus, let us be ready, and continue to seek and do the will of God, not forgetting the least among us, and be mindful of the needs of everyone we come across. May the LORD give us the grace and strength to do this, such that we inherit eternal life kept for the righteous. See you in the next one. Take care of yourself and each other!
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