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Matthew Chapter Twenty-Five

 
The Wise And Foolish Virgins (Mt 25:1-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. We have seen that several of Jesus' parables describe the
 consummation of the "kingdom of heaven" which takes place when Jesus
 returns...
 a. "The Wheat And Tares" - Mt 13:24-30,36-43
 b. "The Dragnet" - Mt 13:47-50
 
2. Following His Discourse on the Mount of Olives in which He seems to
 address...
 a. Either the destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in 70 A.D.)
 b. Or His coming at the end of the age (yet to occur)
 ...we find another parable: "The Wise And Foolish Virgins" - Mt 25:
 1-13
 
3. Scholars often debate over whether the discourse of Matthew 24 
 pertains...
 a. Strictly to the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in A.D. 70
 b. Strictly to the Second Coming of Christ
 c. To both events, as the first is a type or shadow of the latter,
 such that certain terms can be used to describe both events, 
 though figurative in one case and literal in another
 
4. Whichever it might be, in the final analysis the parable of "The
 Wise And Foolish Virgins" has important lessons to be learned
 a. For even if Matthew 24 pertains solely to the destruction of
 Jerusalem...
 b. ...other passages in the New Testament teach the Second Coming of
 the Lord, and we need to be watchful for that great event! - cf.
 2 Pe 3:10-14
 
[With that in mind, let's use this opportunity to take a closer look at
this parable Jesus taught...]
 
I. THE PARABLE ANALYZED
 
 A. KEY ELEMENTS IN THE PARABLE...
 1. Ten virgins go out with lamps to await the arrival of the 
 bridegroom - Mt 25:1-4
  a. Five foolish virgins take no oil
 b. Five wise virgins take extra oil
 2. The bridegroom is delayed in his coming - Mt 25:5
 3. The bridegroom's arrival is announced, and the virgins trim 
 their lamps - Mt 25:6-7
 4. The foolish virgins find that their oil is running out - Mt
 25:7-9
 a. They plead with the wise virgins to share their oil
 b. But the wise virgins refuse, saying there is not enough
 5. As the foolish virgins go to get some oil, the bridegroom 
 comes and those prepared go in with him to the wedding, and 
 the door is shut - Mt 25:10
 6. The foolish virgins then arrive, but they are not allowed in 
 - Mt 25:11-12
 7. Jesus then makes the application - Mt 25:13
 
 B. THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE...
 1. The main message is quite clear, as evident from:
 a. Jesus' comments leading up to this parable - cf. Mt 24:
 42-46
 b. Jesus' comment at the end of the parable itself - Mt 25:13
 1) There is the need for constant watchfulness
 2) For no one knows the moment when the Lord is coming!
 2. As worded in Hendriksen's commentary, "...the need of being 
 prepared at all times for the coming of the Bridegroom, Jesus
 Christ."
 3. This message is repeated later on in the New Testament...
 a. By Paul, writing to the Thessalonians - 1 Th 5:1-6
 b. By Peter, to the Christians in Asia Minor - 2 Pe 3:10-12
 c. By Jesus, to the church at Sardis - Re 3:2-3
 
[Not knowing the day or hour of His coming, we must be always be 
ready...this is the basic message of the parable. But what else can we
glean from this parable?]
 
II. THE PARABLE APPLIED
 
 A. CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE THE VIRGINS AWAITING THE BRIDEGROOM...
 1. Some are wise
 a. They diligently prepare themselves for the Master's coming,
 heeding the call to grow in the grace and knowledge of the
 Lord - 2 Pe 3:18; 1:5-8
 b. Knowing what is to come, they "look" for it and live 
 accordingly - 2 Pe 3:11-14
 c. For them, the coming of the Lord will be a blessing! - 2 Pe
 1:10-11
 2. Some are foolish
 a. They know the Lord is coming, but they are not prepared
 b. They may even be like that evil servant who says "My master
 is delaying his coming", and act accordingly - cf. Mt 24:
 48-49
 c. Yet Jesus has warned what will happen to such evil servants
 - Mt 24:50-51
 -- Are we like the wise virgins, or the foolish ones?
 
 B. ONE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS...
 1. Note that the foolish virgins did have "some" oil - Mt 25:8
 2. So they had made some preparation, but foolishly trusted in 
 what they had done in the past
 3. Neither should we "rest on our laurels", but have the attitude
 of Paul - Ph 3:12-15
 -- Are you foolishly depending upon what you have done in the
 past?
 
  C. PREPAREDNESS IS NOT TRANSFERABLE...
 1. The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish
 virgins - Mt 25:9
 2. Nor can we impart what salvation we have received to someone
 else (they must receive it from the Lord Himself) - cf. Ps
 49:7; Pr 9:12
 3. Do not think that we can be "saved by association"
 a. It did not work for the Jews - cf. Jer 7:4-7
 b. Neither will it work for us; each of us must have our own
 name in the Book of Life - cf. Re 20:12-15
 -- Are you foolishly trusting in your relationship with someone
 else for your salvation (a parent, a spouse, a church, etc.)?
 
 D. THOSE UNPREPARED DO NOT RECEIVE A SECOND CHANCE...
 1. Despite their pleas, the foolish virgins were not permitted to
 the wedding - Mt 25:10-12
 2. When the Lord comes again, the time for salvation is gone!
 
 [Each of these points is related to the main message of the parable:
 the need to be prepared at all times for the coming of Christ. In 
 view of this great need, here are some thoughts on...]
 
 E. MAINTAINING A STATE OF PREPAREDNESS...
 1. Be careful not to let this world to pre-occupy you - Lk 21:
 34-35
 a. Through its worldly lusts
 b. Through its worldly concerns
 2. Be steadfast in prayer - Lk 21:36
 a. For in prayer we naturally maintain an attitude of 
 watchfulness (which is a mark of preparation) - cf. Ep 6:18
 b. For in prayer we can assure that we will be counted worthy
 as we confess our sins - cf. 1 Jn 1:9
 3. Be diligent to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ
 - 2 Pe 3:18
 a. As defined in 2 Pe 1:5-8
 b. The blessings of which are described in 2 Pe 1:10-11
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. This parable teaches that a great day is coming, a day in which 
 those in the kingdom today will find themselves in two different
 groups...
 a. Those who prepared themselves and faithfully watched for His
 coming
 b. Those who were not prepared, to whom they will hear the Lord say:
 
 "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you."
 
2. Dear brother or sister in Christ, if the Lord were to come today...
 a. Would He find you watching?
 b. Would He find you prepared?
 -- Would He even know you? - cf. Mt 7:21-23
 
 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour
 in which the Son of Man is coming." (Mt 25:13)
 
The Talents (Mt 25:14-30)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Immediately following the parable of "The Wise And Foolish Virgins"
 (Mt 25:1-13), we find Jesus telling the parable of "The Talents"
 (Mt 25:14-30)
 
2. While both parables relate to the kingdom of heaven, and especially
 in anticipation of the Lord's return, note the key difference:
 a. The first stresses the need to be "prepared"; the latter, the 
 need to be "productive"
 b. The first emphasizes "watching" for the Lord; the latter, 
 "working" for the Lord
 
3. In both parables we learn what should characterize those who eagerly
 WAIT for the coming of the Lord
 
[How can we best apply what Jesus is teaching in this parable? Let's
begin by examining...]
 
I. THE PARABLE AND ITS LESSONS
 
 A. THE PARABLE ANALYZED...
 1. A man, about to travel to a far country, distributes his goods
 ("talents") among his servants - Mt 25:14-15
 a. A "talent" here is a monetary measure, amounting to 6000
 denarii, which would take an ordinary laborer twenty years
 to earn (a denarius being a day's wage)
 b. The number of "talents" was given "to each according to his
 own ability"
 2. The use made of the talents is described - Mt 25:16-18
 a. Two of the servants doubled their talents
 b. One servant simply hid the money
 3. The lord of the servants returns, and a reckoning is made - Mt
 25:19-30
 a. His return was after "a long time"
 b. The first two servants describe how they doubled their
 amount...
 1) They stand before the lord with excitement (implied in
 the word "look")
 2) Their lord was pleased
 a) He praises them for their work, saying "Well done"
 b) He commends them both as "good and faithful servant"
 c) He rewards them by promoting them: "you were
 faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler
 over many things"
 d) He invites them to share in his happiness: "Enter
 into the joy of your lord"
 c. The servant who hid his money then faces his lord...
 1) He begins by making excuses
 a) "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you
 have not sown..."
 b) "I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the
 ground."
 2) He seeks to appease the lord by returning what he had
 been given: "Look, there you have what is yours."
 d. The lord's response...
 1) He calls him a "wicked and lazy servant"
 2) He tells him what was the least he should have done:
 "you ought to have deposited my money with the
 bankers..."
 3) He takes away what he had, and gave it to the servant
 with ten talents, with this explanation:
 a) "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he
 will have abundance"
 b) "But from him who does not have, even what he has
 will be taken away"
 4) He has the "unprofitable servant" cast "into the outer
 darkness", where "there will be weeping and gnashing of
 teeth"
 
 B. THE PARABLE APPLIED...
 1. Main points of the parable:
 a. Be faithful in using the opportunities for service which 
 the Lord has given us
 b. Diligence is rewarded; negligence is punished
 2. Other points to be noted (adapted from Hendricksen's
 commentary):
 a. Whatever we have, whether opportunities or abilities,
 belongs to God; we may possess, but God owns; we are simply
 stewards - Mt 25:14
 b. The Lord grants opportunities for service in keeping with 
 our ability to make use of them - Mt 25:15
 1) In the day of judgment, the number of "talents" will not
 matter
 2) The question will be, "Have you been faithful in your
 use of the talents?"
 c. Jesus did not expect to return immediately - Mt 25:19; cf.
 25:5
 d. Everything should be done with a view of the day of
 reckoning which is coming! - cf. 2 Co 5:10
 e. Our responsibilities here and now are important, but they 
 will be surpassed by those in the life hereafter - Mt 25:
 21; cf. Re 22:3-5
 f. To share in the Master's own joy is part of the glory of 
 the life hereafter - Mt 25:21; cf. 2 Th 1:10-12 (where we
 are told we will share in His glory)
 g. Those who make excuses are "wicked and lazy" servants - Mt
 25:25-26
 h. A place of punishment is reserved for the unprofitable 
 servants! - Mt 25:30; cf. 13:41-42
 i. The sin of OMISSION is just as bad as the sin of COMMISSION
 1) Those who do evil will experience "wailing and gnashing
 of teeth" - Mt 13:41-42
 2) But also those who do nothing! - Mt 25:30
 
[Many are the lessons that can be gleaned from this parable of "The
Talents". The main lesson is simple: 
 
 Be productive where the Lord has given you ability and opportunity!
 
But this often raises a question: What are my "talents?" (used here not
as a measure of money, but of ability and opportunity) Here are some
thoughts in an attempt to address this issue...]
 
II. DETERMINING OUR "TALENTS"
 
 A. REMEMBER THAT NOT ALL HAVE THE SAME "TALENTS"...
 1. The NUMBER of the talents may be different
 a. Some may have only "one" talent
 b. Some may have "five" talents
 -- Remember, the Lord gives "to each one according to his own
 ability"
 2. The NATURE of the talents may be different
 a. Paul made this clear in Ro 12:3-8
 b. Some teach, others serve; some may do more than one
 -- But everyone has "gifts differing according to the grace
 that is given to us"
 
 B. SOME "TALENTS" ARE EASIER TO DETERMINE THAN OTHERS...
 1. In some cases our abilities are evident
 a. E.g., inherited or gained wealth
 b. E.g., positions of influence
 2. But some abilities might at first be "hidden"
 a. For example, teaching and preaching
 b. E.g., I would have never thought that I had the ability to
 teach or preach, in view of my childhood speech impediment
 -- Some talents may therefore lie dormant, awaiting awakening
 
 C. DETERMINING ONE'S TALENTS...
 1. Through trial and error
 a. Try different areas of service, to see which ones might 
 come naturally
 b. Try them again and again, for some talents may only develop
 through hard work
 2. Through seeking counsel from others
 a. Others can often see our strengths and weaknesses better
 than we ourselves
 b. Solomon praised the value of receiving counsel - Pr 11:14;
 12:15; 15:22; 19:20
 -- Through such personal diligence and advice from others, one 
 can gain insight into the abilities and opportunities that the
 Lord has given him or her
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. If we are in the kingdom, the Lord has given us all some ability in
 which to serve Him
 a. One day, He is coming again and there will be a reckoning
 b. If we are going to be "prepared", we need to be "productive"
 
2. Are you productive? Or are you like the "wicked and lazy servant"?
 a. Will the Lord say to you: "Well done, good and faithful servant.
 Enter into the joy of your lord."?
 b. Or will he say: "You wicked and lazy servant", and consign you
 to the place of torment?
 
What He will say THEN depends upon your service in the kingdom NOW...
 
The Judgment Of The Nations (25:31-46)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Included in "The Olivet Discourse" are two parables, followed by a
 judgment scene...
 a. The parables are directed toward Jesus' disciples
 1) The first to encourage them to be watchful - Mt 25:1-13
 2) The second to admonish them to be productive - Mt 25:14-30
 b. The judgment scene depicts the nations brought before Jesus 
 - Mt 25:31-46
 1) Note that it is the "nations" being judged, not disciples
 2) The nations are judged based upon their treatment of Jesus'
 disciples
 a) Those that showed mercy and kindness to His disciples are
 blessed
 b) Those that did not are condemned
 
2. Questions abound regarding "The Judgment Of The Nations"...
 a. Who are the "nations" in this passage? All of mankind, or only
 the non-elect?
 b. Is this "judgment" scene depicting the Day of Judgment, or might
 it refer to a judgment that foreshadowed the Final Judgment?
 c. As part of "The Olivet Discourse", could Jesus still be talking
 about events related to the destruction of Jerusalem?
 
[However one may answer such questions, there are important lessons to
be gleaned from these words of Jesus. But let's first consider how it
may be that Jesus is still referring to events related to the
destruction of Jerusalem described in Mt 24...]
 
I. THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS THEME
 
 A. AS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF JOEL...
 1. The coming day of the Lord is depicted
 a. Following the outpouring of God's Spirit - Joel 2:28-29
 b. A great and terrible day is coming - Joel 2:30-31
 c. Yet salvation is available to those who accept it - Joel
 2:32; cf. Ac 2:16-21
 2. A "judgment of the nations" is then described
 a. The nations gathered in the Valley of Jehoshaphat - Joel
 3:1-2a,12-16
 b. The nations judged on the basis of their treatment of God's
 people - Joel 3:2b-8
 
 B. AS FOUND IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE...
 1. Jesus foretold the coming day of the Lord - Mt 24:1-51
  a. Coming in destruction upon Jerusalem 
 b. With warnings to escape when they see Jerusalem surrounded
 by armies
 2. A judgment of the nations is then described - Mt 25:31-46
 a. The nations gathered before Son of Man
 b. The nations judged on the basis of their treatment of God's
 people ("inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
 these My brethren")
 
 C. THIS IS A COMMON THEME IN THE SCRIPTURES...
 1. God describes judgment to come, using other nations as
 instruments of His wrath
 2. But He also holds the nations accountable for how His people
 are treated; for example...
 a. Assyria, the rod of God's anger - Isa 10:5-7,12-14,24-26
 b. Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Edom, Ammon - Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13
 3. Nations that went too far (e.g., abusing the innocent) were
 held accountable
 
 D. JESUS MAY BE USING THE SAME THEME...
 1. Describing a judgment upon the nations...
 a. Employing figures reminiscent of the Judgment at the Last
 Day; for example...
 1) The Son of Man coming in glory, sitting on His throne
 2) The nations divided like sheep and goats
 3) Judgment rendered, followed by reward or punishment
 b. For such judgments foreshadowed and typified the Final
 Judgment
 2. Describing a judgment of the nations...
 a. Which followed the Lord's judgment upon Jerusalem - Mt 24
 b. Regarding their treatment of His brethren (the disciples of
 Jesus)
 c. Nations who treated them kindly would be blessed, otherwise
 they would be condemned
 -- In the Book of Revelation, we see how Jesus dealt with the 
  Roman empire, used as the instrument of wrath in destroying
 Jerusalem, and then the object of wrath in its own judgment
 
[This may be what Jesus is doing at this point in "The Olivet
Discourse". It would certainly serve to comfort His disciples, knowing
that nations which failed to show mercy to them would not go
unpunished. Even if this is point of the text, we can still glean
important...]
 
II. LESSONS FROM THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS
 
 A. THERE WILL BE A DAY OF JUDGMENT...
 1. Just as the Lord has judged nations throughout history
 2. So He will judge the world at the end of time, at the Last Day
 a. Jesus often spoke of the Judgment - e.g., Mt 12:36-37,
 41-42; Jn 12:47-48
 b. Paul also - e.g., Ac 17:30-31; 24:25; Ro 2:3-6; 14:10; 
 2 Co 5:10; 2 Ti 4:1
 c. Others as well - e.g., He 9:27; 1 Pe 4:5; 2 Pe 2:9; 3:7;
 1 Jn 4:17; Ju 6
 -- Are we preparing for the Day of Judgment?
 
 B. ONE ISSUE WILL BE HOW WE TREATED JESUS' BRETHREN...
 1. Of course, every deed, word, and thought will be judged (see
 above verses)
 2. But our text reminds us how Jesus takes the treatment of His
 brethren - Mt 25:40,45
 a. "as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren,
 you did it to Me"
 b. "as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did
 not do it to Me"
 3. Jesus made the same point to Saul on the road to Damascus 
 - Ac 9:1-5
 a. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
 b. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."
 -- By persecuting the church, Saul was guilty of persecuting
 Christ!
 4. Jesus is the head, and His disciples (the church) is His body
  - Ep 1:22-23
 a. What we do or not do for His disciples, we do or not do for
 Christ!
 b. How is our treatment of our brethren? Are we guilty of:
 1) Abusing them?
 2) Ignoring them?
 3) Failing to love them?
 -- What is our relationship with other Christians, especially in
 the context of the local church?
 
 C. THERE ARE PLACES PREPARED FOR AFTER THE JUDGMENT...
 1. One is for prepared people - Mt 25:34
 a. Described as "the kingdom prepared for you from the
 foundation of the world" - cf. 2 Ti 4:18; 2 Pe 1:11
 b. Described as "new heavens and a new earth in which 
 righteousness dwells" - cf. 2 Pe 3:13; Re 21:1
 c. Described as "the holy city, New Jerusalem" - cf. He 13:14;
 Re 3:12; 21:2-7
 -- This place is for those whose names are in the Lamb's book
 of Life - Re 20:11-15
 2. One is for unprepared people - Mt 25:41
 a. Described as "the everlasting fire prepared for the devil
 and his angels" - cf. Re 20:10
 b. Described as "the like of fire and brimstone" - Re 20:10,
 14; 21:8
 c. Described as "the second death" - Re 20:14; 21:8
 -- This place is for those whose names are not in the book of
 life - Re 20:15
 3. Both places are prepared to last for eternity - Mt 25:46
 a. The one offering everlasting punishment
 b. The other offering eternal life
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. God's judgment upon nations in the past were written for our
 admonition - 1 Co 10:11
 a. Such judgments reveal that God is a Righteous Judge
 b. Such judgments portend the Judgment to come at the Last Day
 
2. Whether or not Jesus uses the setting of the Final Judgment to
 describe judgment upon the nations following the destruction of
 Jerusalem, His words should cause us to consider...
 a. Are we preparing for the Day of Judgment?
 b. Involved in that preparation, is our relationship with our
 brethren what it ought to be?
 c. What will Jesus say to us on that Day?
 
May we all walk in the grace and mercy of the Lord with an obedient
faith and love, so that we may hear Him say:
 
 "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
 for you from the foundation of world." - Mt 25:34

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