Chronological Bible Study – Nov 8
What I Noticed Today (Matthew 25)
Matthew 25
Jesus’ fifth discourse continues through Matthew 25. Here the focus is on being ready for the end times and the judgment that will come upon the nations.
In verses 1-13, the parable of the ten virgins. Ten virgins took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and took extra oil for their lamps, and five were foolish, having no extra oil for their lamps. When the bridegroom came, the lamps of the foolish virgins went out, and they had to leave to get more oil. The five wise virgins were invited to the wedding feast. When the foolish virgins return, they found the door shut and were denied entrance to the wedding feast.
The lesson of the parable is we do not know when the Lord will return, but we must be ready. Commentators generally agree the bridegroom is Christ; five wise virgins represent true believers, the oil represents the Holy Spirit, the foolish virgins those who believe in a messiah but have not accepted Jesus as Messiah.
In verses 14-30, the parable of the talents. A master who is leaving on a long trip assembles his servants and gives one five talents, one two talents, and to the third one talent, each according to their ability. The servants with five and two talents each made five and two talents more, but the servant with one talent buried it in the ground. When the master returned, he gathered the servants for an accounting. The two servants who doubled what they were given were praised and promised much more. The servant who buried the talent returned it to his master, claiming that he was afraid of the master. The master rebuked him, calling him wicked and lazy. Then the master took the one talent from him and gave it to the servant with ten talents. The worthless servant will be cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The lesson of the parable is that we are each given talents according to our ability. They must be invested into the Kingdom while the master is away for when He returns He will demand an accounting for how the gifts were used. To not invest them at all is to reject the gift of the master.
In verses 31- 46, when the Son of Man returns in His glory, he will sit on His throne and judge the nations.
Note: The word translated nations refers to Gentiles, not Jews.
- People will be separated in the final judgment like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; Sheep on the right, goats on the left. Those on the right will be invited into the Father’s Kingdom (vv. 32-34).
- Those sheep invited in serving the people of God’s kingdom in some way: welcomed me, met physical needs food, clothing, emotional needs visited me when I was sick (vv. 35-36).
- They wondered when they had done this for the king, and He said when you did it for the least of my brothers, you did it for me (vv. 37-40).
- Then the Father will send those on the left away to be with the Devil, accusing them of not welcoming him or of serving or caring for His brothers (vv. 41-45).
- The righteous will go on to eternal life while the wicked will be sent to eternal punishment (v. 46).
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.