Matthew 25

Matthew 25:1

In chapter 25, Jesus closes His Olivet Discourse with a practical exhortation. Hear His heart as He says, “In light of end times understanding, there are three things you must consider: personal salvation (verses Mat_25:1-13), responsible stewardship (verses Mat_25:14-30), and practical servanthood” (verses Mat_25:31-46). In Jesus’ day, although the day of a wedding was known in a community, the exact hour was unknown. The bridegroom could show up at his bride’s house any time during the day or night. He could come in the morning, at noon, even at midnight. But as soon as he arrived at the house of the bride, word passed quickly that the bridegroom had come and the marriage was about to begin. The community would then accompany the bride and the bridegroom as they made their way to the ceremony. In this parable, there were ten maidens. Ten is the Jewish number of completion, as illustrated by the fact that there were ten Commandments and that ten Jewish males in a community warranted a synagogue. But of the ten maidens, only five had oil for their lamps. And when the bridegroom came at midnight, the other five were left out of the procession. What is Jesus saying? He’s saying that when He, the Bridegroom, comes for His bride at an unknown hour, some will be ready to join the procession but others will not because they lack oil in their lamps. Scripturally, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus, those not born of the Spirit will be left behind. If the Rapture occurred tonight, I fear some of you would still be sitting here while the rest of us went up. Yes, you’ve been hanging out with the wedding partybut there’s no oil in your vessel. We must realize that many who think they are going up in the wedding party will be left behind for lack of oil. I believe the heartbeat of Jesus revealed in this parable is one which should sober every person. In Luk_21:36, Jesus said, “Pray that you might be found worthy to be kept from the hour of tribulation"the implication being that some who mistakenly thought they were part of the procession will go through that terrible time of tribulation. I would rather see my own family and my church family soberly on our knees, saying, “Please, Lord, fill us with the oil of Your Spirit and seal our salvation,” than to give anyone false assurance and have him miss the wedding party, lulled to sleep by a false theology. I would rather see a person come forward fifty times to make sure of his salvation than to have him think that because he sits in a pew he’s going to heaven. The story is told of a meeting Satan held with his demons, trying to figure out how to trick people into eternal damnation… One demon said, “I’ve got a plan. Let’s whisper in people’s ears that there is no God.” “No,” Satan said, “creation declares the reality of God. People are too smart to deny His existence. A few idiots might be sucked in, but not the masses.” “I’ve got it,” a second demon said. “We’ll say there’s no hell.” “No,” said Satan. “People innately understand the need for retribution and judgment. People won’t buy that.” A third demon said, “Let me suggest how we might trick them. Instead of saying ‘No God’ or ‘No Hell,’ we’ll just say ‘No Hurry.”’ “That’s it!” Satan said gleefully. And he commissioned his demons to go throughout the world whispering, “No hurry.” Many have lost their sense of urgency. But the cry will soon go forth: behold the bridegroom cometh! Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure (2Pe_1:10). Don’t miss the party.

Matthew 25:14

As with the previous parable, this situation would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience. When the owner of a house went on a long journey, he would give his servants the responsibility of caring for his property. In this case, the owner gave varying sums of money to his servants before he left, a talent being a year’s wage. Upon his return, he learned that the five-talent servant had doubled his investment. The two-talent servant did the same. But the one-talent servant, afraid to invest his talent, buried it. And the owner of the house rebuked him radically. So, too, Jesus has gone away to heaven to prepare a place for us. In the meantime, He has given us talentsmoney, energy, and abilities. It’s interesting to me that the fellow who didn’t show responsibility was the one with only one talent. That’s often where the danger lies with us as well. The person who realizes he has a great musical gift will more often than not develop his gift and seek to use it. But the person who says, “I can’t sing. I can’t preach. I can’t do miracles,” often buries his one talent, whatever it might be. Precious people, we all have been given at least one talent. “Not me,” you say. “I have no talents and no abilities. I can’t do anything.” Can you change a diaper? Sign up to help in the nursery. Can you listen? Call on people at the rest home. Can you feed a child? Spend a month at a mission. You can do so much. The problem is, the one-talent person has a tendency to bury it. Here, Jesus is telling us that we will give an account for that which has been entrusted to us. If you are one who doesn’t think you have been given much, you are one who needs to be especially careful that you don’t bury that which you do have.

Matthew 25:31

In this parable, Jesus refers to the judgment of nations that will take place at the end of the Tribulation. According to Zec_14:4, when Jesus comes back to earth, the Mount of Olives will split in half the moment His feet touch down upon it. I found it interesting that contractors were denied a permit to build a hotel on the Mount of Olives because seismological studies indicated a major fault running through it. When Jesus comes, that fault will split the mountain in half, a great valley will open up, and a new stream will begin to flow from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean. Joel refers to this valley as the valley of decision (Joe_3:14) because those who survive the Tribulation will be brought there to stand before the Lord at the judgment of the nations. The sheep will be allowed to enter into the millennium.

The goats will be sent away to destruction. Who are the sheep? “The ones who clothed Me; fed Me; and cared about Me,” answers Jesus. “When did we do that, Lord?” the sheep ask. “When you did it to the least of My brethrenthe Jews,” Jesus answers. You see, midway through the Tribulation, Antichrist’s determination to destroy the Jews will come to light. All over the world, anti-Semitism will run rampant. At that time, however, many will refuse to take the mark of the beast and will help the Jews, even as some did in Nazi Germany. They will visit those in prison. They will hide those in need of protection. They will reach out to those who are hurting. They will go on record, saying, “We will not take the mark of the beast. We will stand with these persecuted people.” Jesus said in so doing, they will demonstrate outwardly their faith in Him. Years ago, I sat on a hill outside Galilee and watched a single shepherd boy lead a flock of sheep. It was a beautiful sight. Goats, on the other hand, are impossible to lead. They would rather butt heads and eat trash than follow anyone. Goats do what they want. I know those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ as Lord are all sheep, but I fear sometimes there’s too much goat in me. May we be like sheep who travel as a flock following the Lord’s leading.