Matthew 25:14-46
Main Idea: True disciples of Jesus are so transformed by the gospel that the King’s interests joyfully become their own.
I. The Economy of the Kingdom (25:15-30)
“Servants” (or ‘bondservants’) made up a huge portion of society in the Ancient world, serving in various roles. The parable tells us that the master, a very successful man, entrusted his servants with his “property” - literally his wealth and resources A single “talent” was the equivalent of 20 years wages, so the master entrusts a massive amount of his wealth to his servants, “each according to his ability.”
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, mine!” ~ Abraham Kuyper
Our relationship to everything in this world is one of stewardship. A ‘steward’ is entrusted to care for that which is not his own, and to manage in such a way that would honor the true owner’s desires and wishes.
When the master returns after a long delay to settle accounts, he is thrilled by the work of the first two servants, commending both their character and their activity, and inviting them to enter into the rest of his joy. This is a foretaste of heaven for the citizens of the Kingdom.
1 Peter 4:10–11: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.
The third servant delivers back the one talent he was given, accusing his master of being a “hard” (‘harsh’) man who makes his wealth by unjust means and through the hard work of another. The difference between this servant and the others is in their view of the master; the first two viewed the master as a generous man who was trustworthy, while the third servant is afraid, perceiving him to be unrighteous.
“In the New Testament as a whole, human beings are either slaves to sin, or we’re free from that slavery and become slaves to Christ, but this slavery is a joyful slavery. It’s a slavery that we delight in, because this master is so good and fair and right, but make no mistake, it is a relationship of master and slave. The third slave’s rebellion is that he thinks he has the right to simply make his own judgments; but if he is a slave of the master and he has been entrusted to undertake a certain task, that is what he is supposed to do, and not undertaking that task and simply putting the money in the ground is, in fact, flagrant disobedience. After all, the slave belongs to the master, the gold belongs to the master, and the other two are delighted that it is so.” ~ D.A. Carson
The master says that the servant “ought to” have invested his money to yield an increase. The servant was not given a gift to spend however he saw fit; he was “entrusted” with his master’s property. This is the issue with the “wicked” and “slothful” servant. He wrongly esteems his master and completely misses the severity of his actions.
Hebrews 12:2: “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The parable confronts us with this question: are we investing everything that we have been given to increase the assets and agenda of the King? Or are we acting like we are the owners of it all, and seeking to advance our own agenda?
Matthew 6:19–21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
II. The Evidences of Citizenship (25:31-46)
The “sheep and the goats” speaks clearly about what will happen when the King returns to “sit on his glorious throne.” Though similar, sheep and goats would need to be separated on various occasions (such as shearing, milking, and sleeping); Jesus here describes an “end-time sorting” between two groups when he returns to judge the nations.
On the surface, the parable of the talents and the sheep and the goats seem to contradict the message of grace that is central to the gospel; it seems like those who yield an increase and those who care for the “least of these” are the ones who get into the Kingdom. But we can’t miss two key things:
The “surprise” of the sheep (25:38-39)
The Kingdom is prepared “from the foundation of the world” (25:34)
Galatians 6:10: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
On the other hand, the “goats” have not been transformed by the gospel. They failed to act when they had an opportunity to do so, and are equally as surprised as the “sheep” at the judgment from the King. Their lack of concern for the least of these showed their complete misunderstanding of the gospel of the Kingdom.
In Jesus’ final teaching in Matt. 24-25, he focuses on sins of omission (failing to do what we are supposed to do):
The foolish bridesmaids failed to prepare
The wicked servant failed to increase the talent entrusted to him
The goats failed to act when they saw those in need
“Hell is real and eternal because God’s holiness is real and eternal… the frightening thing is that, to enter hell, all one has to do is nothing… all you have to do to go to hell is not rock the boat. Accept the status quo. Hell is quite easy to enter. Because outside of Christ we stand condemned already (Jn. 3:18), we need simply do nothing.” ~ Jared Wilson
The sheep and the goats reminds us that Jesus identifies with his people (cf. Matt. 12:46-50, Acts 9:4). For the King to identify with the “least of these” is an incredible picture of the character of the King. This is his grace and kindness.
What is the difference between the sheep and the goats? How do you become so transformed by the gospel in this way? You see yourself in the least of these. Have you recognized yourself in this place of need?
