So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. Matthew 25:13 NLT
Read Matthew 25.
They say opposites attract! For example, my husband is such a planner, but I, on the other hand, tend to be more laid back. While I do like to be organized and prepared to a point, I am pretty easy going about trips or date nights with Jeff because I trust he has it under control. He usually thinks of just about everything! His specialty is to surprise me, and he does it often. I can see the sheepish look on his face as we take off out the door to who knows where! He has surprised me with everything from ice hockey games, to new restaurants, and even to a Caribbean cruise!
So, what does this have to do with Matthew 25? Jesus begins with a parable about being ready at all times. I have learned from my husband how relaxing and enjoyable life can be when we have all our “ducks in a row.” In the first parable, five young ladies were well prepared and gleefully joined the groom for the wedding feast. However, the five foolish maids ran out of oil for their lamps and had to make a “Walmart” stop in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, these gals missed the party!
Jesus was illustrating the importance of being prepared at any time for His eventual return. Even impulsive or passive personalities can learn this principle when it comes to Kingdom living. Not everyone has a natural predisposition to being an organizer, but every one of us can apply the concept of perpetual readiness to our spiritual lives. We must all keep watch for His return, because no one knows the day or the hour.
The moral? “Keep watch!” “Be alert!” “Stay awake!” “Always be ready!” and “Be prepared!” (verse 13, various translations)
Following this story, verse 14 begins my favorite parable of all! Jesus continues the theme of being prepared for the coming of the Lord with this parable of the three servants. A man goes on a long-term trip and entrusts his estate to his servants. He distributes his wealth in various increments, according to his level of trust in their abilities. One servant receives 5 talents, or bags of money; one receives 2; and the last one receives 1.
You probably know the rest of the story. The two servants who were entrusted with greater amounts had each doubled their master’s money. However, the lazy servant who only had one bag, merely hid his money in the ground. When the master returned, he generously rewarded the first two servants for their faithfulness, but he was furious with the third servant. He confiscated the underground loot and gave it to the one who had proven to be the most trustworthy. He summarized the moral in verse 29:
To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
While this story refers specifically to money, the underlying principle applies to everything God has entrusted to us as His stewards, including our time, health, gifts, talents, abilities, opportunities, possessions, and so much more! What that means is that these things are not ours, but it all belongs to Him. We are merely managers of what He has entrusted to us, and that should be our attitude toward everything we own. One day Christ will return and reward us according to our faithfulness. This parable drives everything I do! My goal in life is to someday hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Finally, Jesus completes this series of parables by explaining an essential Kingdom concept. Keep in mind, He is not talking about a to-do list. This isn’t a running list for us to check off as we complete each one. On the contrary, Jesus is talking about our hearts and our attitudes. The way we treat others is a reflection of our heart for God. When we feed, clothe, visit, and care for others, we demonstrate a genuine love for God. Conversely, when we genuinely love God, it will show in the way we treat others. As a matter of fact, Jesus carries it even further. He says that the way we treat the lowest ones, we are doing it unto Him, but if we refuse to help the ones who are considered the least, we are refusing to help Jesus Himself.
Several principles I glean from this story are that we are to see the worth of others through the eyes of Jesus; what we do to others, we are doing to Jesus Himself; we will be rewarded or punished according to the way we treat others; and the genuineness of our hearts will be reflected in our behavior toward others. May we be found faithful and full of grace toward everyone we meet!
May the three parables in this chapter inspire us to faithful Kingdom living as we keep watch until the coming of the Lord!
