Sunday Praise & Worship 10:00
Christian Education - 10:00 - Casual Dress - Loving Childcare
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Key Verse: Matthew 25:29 “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” This parable forms the second in a series of three parables about the Judgment that Matthew records in chapter 25. The first (the 10 Virgins) and the third (the Sheep and the Goats) are unique to Matthew, but Luke reports a similar parable in 19:12-27, so it may have come from a source unfamiliar to Mark, which scholars call “Q” (from the German “Quelle” or “source”). The Matthew and Luke involve a Master giving responsibility for his property to his servants (three servants in Matthew; 10 in Luke). Both versions involve an accounting to the Master upon his return from a journey, where the first two servants increased the Master’s gift and received praise and reward from the Master. Both versions involve a third servant who buried (Matthew) or hid (Luke) the portion for which he was responsible because of his fear of the Master, who chastises him and gives his gift to the first servant. Luke’s version includes specific instructions from the Master (Luke 19:13) to trade (invest) the gift while the Master is away. In Luke’s version, the Master gives all 10 servants an equal gift, while in the Matthew version, the three servants receive different gifts “according to their ability” (v. 25:15). Luke also includes a separate group who reject the Master’s reign, who are executed in the Master’s presence at the end of the parable. While Matthew’s third servant is cast into outer darkness, Luke’s third servant receives no such punishment. A version of this parable survives in The Gospel of the Nazarines, in which the first servant is rewarded for multiplying the Master’s property, the second servant is rebuked for hid the property, and the third servant is punished for squandering the Master’s property “with harlots and flute girls”. This version seems to accord better with our sense of justice. In fact, in Jesus’ time, hiding/protecting the Master’s treasure would have been seen as a responsible action. What increases this tension between our understanding and the wisdom of this parable is the closing aphorism, repeated in all three Gospels, and repeated in Matthew and Luke (see the key verse above—see also Mark 4:25, Matthew 13:12 and 25:29, and Luke 8:18, 12:48, and 19:26). What could Jesus have meant by this harsh statement? In the earlier parallel (Mark 4:25, Matthew 13:12, and Luke 8:18), the context is Jesus’ explanation of his use of parables, which were hard to understand, after telling the parable of the sower. As issue is the question: “To what is Jesus referring when he speaks of something someone has (that will be increased), or something someone lacks (that will be taken away)?” In the Matthew 25 and Luke 19 parables, this something goes beyond the original gift/trust (which all of the servants received) to get at either the ability of the servants or their willingness to risk (use) the Master’s gift in order to increase it. Perhaps it also involves their lack of fear of the Master—or, to put it positively, their delight/trust in the Master. While we might be tempted to focus on the negative teaching of the aphorism, the positive aspect involves a powerful assurance that God will increase our faith as we put it into action in our lives. The context of the parable in both Matthew and Luke also involved instruction on how to wait for Jesus’ return—and encouraged Jesus’ followers to actively employ God’s gifts in their lives. Questions for Reflection 1. As you read the key verse above, how do you respond? What reaction does this teaching provoke in you? What does this tell you about your life and your faith? If you hear this proverb as a rebuke, how does it invite you to experience the abundance of God in your life more fully? 2. What abilities do you express in your life (in and beyond the church community)? Write down three abilities that you have and at least one way (for each ability) that you presently use that ability. Now write one way that you could use that ability in the future. 3. Both of these parables involve a time of separation from the Master. In what ways do you experience this separation? How does employing your abilities to increase God’s gifts in your life bring you closer to God? What other ways to use your abilities would draw you even closer to God? 4. How has the Holy Spirit spoken to you in worship today? |
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