Parables of Jesus - Lesson 11

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 11 

·         Background

§  Both Parables continue our study about Judgment and both Parables can be found in the Gospel of Matthew.

§  Jesus had just taught on the Mount of Olives after arriving in Jerusalem, which would lead to his eventual death on the cross.   Jesus tells his followers about his future and his return.  Jesus also tells his followers about remaining watchful for the end of times as well.

·         Parables of Judgment

§  Unprofitable Servants   (Matthew 25: 14 – 30)   

§  The Master divided the money/talents to his servants based according to the servant’s abilities.  They did not receive more or less than what they could handle based upon there Master’s knowledge.   If the servant failed he could not blame it on the fact that he was overwhelmed, but that he was either lazy or he hated his master.   The talents in this parable represent any resources that God has gifted us with.   God gives us time, gifts, and resources according to our abilities and God does expect us to invest and use them wisely until he returns.   We are responsible for what God has given us.   The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have.

§  Jesus is coming back, which we know is true and mentioned in the bible.  Knowing this, we are to use our time, talents, and treasures diligently to serve God in whatever we do.   For a few people this might be a change in profession, but for most of us it involves doing our daily work out of love for our God.

§  The last man was only thinking of himself by hoping to play it safe with his master’s money to protect himself from his master, who he recognized as hard and shrewd.   The master judged this man based upon his self-centeredness.   Likewise we must not make excuses to avoid what God is calling us to do.   God is our master and we must obey him accordingly.   Our time, abilities, and money are not ours but are instead gifts from God.

§  This parable shows the consequences of two types of attitudes toward Jesus’s return.   The person who diligently prepares by investing their talents and time to serve God will be rewarded.   The person who has no heart for the work of God’s kingdom will be punished.   God does reward faithfulness.   Those who bear no fruit for God cannot expect the same rewards as those who are faithful.

§  Additional readings

·         Matthew 24:42-47, Mark 13:35-37, Luke 12:40, Luke 16:8-13.

§  Unprofitable Goats.   (Matthew 25: 31 - 46)

§  Jesus used the sheep and goats to picture the division between believes and no-believers.  Sheep and goats often grazed together during biblical times but they would be separated when it came time to have the sheep sheered.   (Ezekiel 34:17-24)

§  This parable describes acts of mercy that we all can do every day.   These acts do not depend upon wealth, ability, or intelligence.   They are but simple acts given freely and freely accepted.   We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs and we cannot hand this responsibility to the church or government.   The church and government does have a role to play, but when the opportunity comes to us, we need to help.  Jesus demands our personal involvement in caring for other’s needs (Isaiah 58:7).

§  Just in the parable of the “Good Samaritan” where the question is asked “Who is my neighbor”, the point of the parable is not who but what, the importance of serving where service is needed.   This parable is about loving every person and serving anyone we can.   Such love for others glorifies God by reflecting our love for God.

§  As in last week, eternal life and eternal punishment are absolute.  When Jesus warns us about unbelief he is trying to save us from agonizing punishment.   When Jesus repeats himself several times on a topic he wants our attention and to listen as it is something that is very important.

§  Additional Readings.

·         Matthew 10:40-42, Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 16:27, Malachi 3:18, Revelation 13:8, Job 31:29-32, Isaiah 58:7, Hebrews 13:2, James 2:26, Proverbs 19:17

·         Questions to Ponder/Lessons for Life.

§  We know that God blesses us and he offers us grace.  Once we accept God’s grace do we live our lives to glorify God’s name?   God created us to glorify his name.

§  What are your best traits or attributes?

§  Is it important to God on how much talent you have?   (2 Corinthians 8:10-12)

§  Where are you able to invest your talents and what people can benefit from your talents?

§  Did you notice the Master’s comments to the 2 faithful servants, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful with few things, I will put you in charge of many things”.

§  We never know when our time will be up and we know that eternity is real (2 Peter 3:18). 

§  What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’s word to us – feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, and look after the sick.  Where do our actions fit in this?

§  The Judgement parables that we have discussed, especially the ‘Sheep and Goats” may sound as Jesus is saying that he is going to judge us based upon our works or on our deeds.   We need to be mindful that we are surely saved by faith, not by our works (James 2:14-18).   Good works aren’t the reason we are saved, but instead they are our fruits and evidence that we are saved.