Lesson 34
I.
Observation
A.
Outline
Ten Virgins
(25:1-13)
Servants with
Talents (25:14-30)
Sheep and Goats
(25:31-46)
B.
Key Words/Phrases
Kingdom,
virgins, bridegroom, wise, foolish, oil, watch, servants, talents, gained, good
and faithful, wicked and lazy, sheep, goats, one of the least of these,
everlasting punishment, eternal life.
II.
Segment Analysis
1. It continues
the theme of being watchful. Compare 25:13 and 24:42,44.
2. When Christ
returns, He will receive His bride, the church (Rev 19:7; 21:2)
3a. They all took lamps. They all slumbered and slept. They all
arose and trimmed their lamps.
3b. The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
4a. Whether the oil represents the Holy Spirit or good deeds, we
should learn from the wise virgins by preparing ourselves spiritually. We need
to abide in Christ by living righteous lives (1Jn 2:28; cf
Rev 16:15). Only then will the bridegroom acknowledge and welcome us (cf. Mt
25:12).
4b. We cannot wait until Christ comes to start preparing
ourselves because that would be too late. We also cannot rely on someone else,
such as our spouse, parents, or minister, to enter God’s kingdom.
5. If we indulge
in our desires in this life rather than be spiritually sober, we are actually
choosing to distance ourselves from God. That is why the bridegroom said to the
foolish virgins, “I do not know you.” They confessed the Lord with their
mouths, but in their hearts and conduct they were far from God (Jas 4:4,5).
6. We must put
them to use to help and build up others.
7a. This is the
principle on which God’s requirement is based, “For everyone to whom much is
given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of
him they will ask the more” (Lk 12:48). God expects
us to give our best according to what we have received (2Cor 8:12). So we
should each fulfill our responsibilities without comparing with the work of
others.
7b. The servant’s blame on the master all the more proved his
wickedness and laziness. He used the excuse that the master would make
unreasonable demands and expected him to give beyond his capacity. As we can
see in the previous question, this was far from the truth. The master’s concession
in 26 does not mean that he agreed with the servant. He was telling the servant
that even if he was a hard man, the servant could have at least given the
talent to the bank.
8. If we do not
put our God-given talents to work, we may eventually lose these talents and
come under the punishment of our master.
9. God is fair
because He does not require from us what we have not received. He is gracious
because He considers us worthy and has entrusted to us talents of great value.
In the parable, the faithful servants were given the authority to rule over
many things because they had been faithful over few things. Likewise, the
reward we receive from God will be much greater than our efforts deserve.
10. The third
section does not begin with “the kingdom of heaven is like.” This is because
the prediction in 31 and 32a is not an analogy but will occur exactly as Jesus
predicted. The parable only starts with 32b “as a shepherd divides his sheep
from the goats.”
11. Humility and
love. The sheep were humble in that they served the least of the brethren (40; cf 18:4,5).
12. The word
“least” here is probably used according to human standards. These least of the
brethren would be those whom the people of the world look down on. But the King
calls them “my brethren.” In God’s kingdom, even the least significant member
(i.e. by worldly standards) is honorable.
14. The righteous
were not aware that they were doing these things to the Lord because of their
humility in believing themselves to be “unworthy servants” who were only
fulfilling their duties (Lk 17:10). The ignorance of
the wicked showed that they had looked down on the little ones, not realizing
that they were the King’s brethren.
We should serve all our brothers regardless of
their social or economic standing. While doing so, there is no need to keep
record of our good work.
