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The Big Idea

Jesus is incredibly clear and incredibly direct in what he expects from the believer. Being ready for Christ’s coming involves more than playing it safe and doing little or nothing. It demands the kind of devoted service in Christ’s kingdom that produces results.

The Olivet Discourse

This is the final series of parables in the book of Matthew. These teachings take place on the Mont of Olives- a familiar spot for Jesus and his disciples. The section starts in Matthew 24:36 and concludes in 25:46. In this section, Jesus gives the necessary exhortation that accompanies the preparedness of his disciples. He tells them four parables that give variations on the theme, each teaching a particular point about how and why they should be prepared.

Points to consider

Audience: The disciples

Time: The parables take place right before Passover (Easter)

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Breaking down the passage:

Man:

Authority: Called his servants (14), I will put you in charge of many things (21), take that talent from him…(28), and throw that worthless servant outside…(30)

Assets: (15), has liquid disposability of at least 8 talents*

Wise: Entrusted his property to them (14), each according to their ability (15)

Servants:

All three where given an equal opportunity to serve the master

All three where entrusted with more money than they could ever obtain on their own.

The man was not micromanaging the servants. They had freedom to be creative based on their own abilities.

*A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years wages. The total of the 8 talents today would be 1,977,600.

Character Traits:

He knew his servants

He knew what each could handle

He trusted them with outrageous amounts of money

He gave them all an undeserving life changing opportunity

He awarded based on the servants obedience* not what was produced

He showed appreciation and gratitude

He changed the positional status of all the servants

He was fair and just

Well done good and faithful servant:

The identical statement of praise to both servants (21, 23) indicates that the point of the parable is not about the total amount earned but in the faithful responsibility in living up to one’s potential and giftedness.

The reward of earning bestowed may differ, but both servants received the identical joy in the presence of their master.

The last servant was called wicked and lazy (26) because he didn’t even try. The last servant did not get to share in the joy of the master but was lead out of his presence.

Take notice that the only person is the parable that lost something was the last servant. The master received his original talent and servant lost out because of his attitude.

Jesus is incredibly clear and incredibly direct in what he expects from the believer. Being ready for Christ’s coming involves more than playing it safe and doing little or nothing. It demands the kind of devoted service in Christ’s kingdom that produces results.

1. Jesus expects fruitfulness:

There is an expectation for us as believers to not waste the opportunity Christ has given us. God has given each of us gifts and abilities to exercise in the body of Christ.

We were created for ministry: Ephesians 2:1-10

We were saved for ministry: 2 Timothy: 1:9

We were gifted for ministry: 1 Peter 4:10

2. Jesus expects obedience: v. 19-23

Servant 1 produces fruit- receives the joy of the master and his presence plus was awarded a position of authority

Servant 2 produces fruit- receives the joy of the master and his presence plus was awarded a position of authority

Servant 3 producing nothing- does not get new position of authority but is removed from the master’s side. He didn’t obey. He didn’t try. He wasted the undeserved opportunity to serve the master and when the master comes he implies ”this is your fault. You’re a hard man.

Personal Application:

Are you simply going through the motions, or are you seeking to obey all He’s asked of you?

Are you just opening your Bible each morning, or are you hungrily reading God’s Word?

Are you merely coming to service, or are you coming for worship?

Are you choosing to Obey or justify away.

3. Jesus expects you to be an active participant in his plans. vv. 26-27.

As He speaks to the unfaithful servant, we see that the other two did more than pursue the route of greatest safety (putting it in a bank); they got out in the marketplace and worked with the master’s resources.