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…. The Parable Of The Talents. Matthew 25:14-30. The Talents. Matt 25:14-30. Setting In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week Most likely, late Tuesday afternoon or early Tuesday evening Jesus has finished His public ministry
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The Parable Of The Talents Matthew 25:14-30
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 Setting • In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week • Most likely, late Tuesday afternoon or early Tuesday evening • Jesus has finished His public ministry • His last words = a lament for Jerusalem’s destruction Mt 23:37-39
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 Setting • In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week • His comments in Mt 24-25 were spoken privately to the disciples • The Ten Virgins parable = preparation • This parable = workwhilewaiting
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The characters aren’t “hired servants” as Mt 20:1-16 • They are “slaves” (bond-slaves) • Those not even in possession of their own bodies • Appropriate re: disciples 1 Cor 6:19-20
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Neither are the characters “bridesmaids” as in Mt 25:1-13 [previous parable] • Emphasis on waiting for the groom • In this parable, they are more like stewards who must be busy…who must give an account of their activities
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Before going on a journey, a man entrusts “talents” to 3 slaves vv. 14-15 • A “talent” = 6,000 denarii [sizeable] • Each one entrusted “…according to his own ability” [5, 2, & 1 respectively] • Not equally able…but, equally responsible
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Before going on a journey, a man entrusts “talents” to 3 slaves vv. 14-15 • Important…the master knows what each slave can do • What about our “talents?” Rom 12:3-8 1 Cor 12:4-11, 14-28
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The first 2 slaves respond vv. 16-17 • The “5-talent” slave immediately[NASV] trades, doubling his master’s money • The “2-talent” slave does likewise • They did not delay [urgency] • They understood their responsibilities
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The first 2 slaves respond vv. 16-17 • No matter the level of responsibility, the slave is duty-bound re: the master’s work Eph 4:11-12, 16 • Diligence…not negligence Rom 12:11 • Every joint supplies something Eph 4:16
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The “1-talent” slave’s response v. 18 • He did not try to increase his master’s money • He thought only of not losing it • He dug a hole and buried it
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Contrasting the 3 slaves • The “5-talent” & “2-talent” slaves acted on faith and their awareness their master had entrusted them • The “1-talent” slave was afraid v. 25 • Fear does nothing
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Contrasting the 3 slaves • The difference… • Faith acts despite the possibility of failing…knows rewards outweigh the risks • Fear thinks it best not to lose what it has…risks are too great to “chance it”
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • Have slaves been entrusted to simply watch the master’s goods, or do something with them? Rom 12:4, 6 • The “certainty” v. 19 • The master’s return…the accounting • “Theme” Mt 24:36-39, 42, 44 25:6, 13
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “5 & 2-talent” slaves vv. 20-23 • Judged to be equally faithful…they were commended the same vv. 21, 23 • Not based upon each one’s gross gain • Different expectations…same reward
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “5 & 2-talent” slaves vv. 20-23 • Based upon what each one did with what he had been entrusted • No matter the # of talents, the master was pleased with each one’s performance
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • He first “slanders” his master v. 24 • He admits his motivation (fear) and proudly presents his “not lost” talent v. 25
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • If he were truly “afraid” wouldn’t he have been more diligent, not less? • His problem…he didn’t even try to do anything to increase his master’s money
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • The master was not impressed • He labels him “wicked & lazy” v. 26a • At the least, the money could have been deposited in the bank v. 27
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheParable • The accounting vv. 20-30 • The “1-talent” slave vv. 24-30 • This type of service won’t produce praise & commendation…only judgment vv. 28-30
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • The notion of “not losing” what one has is appealing to the disciple who doesn’t really want to do anything anyway • If this is where we are, we need to realize just how much we are in danger
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • Some modern-day disciples are heard to complain at how “hard” the Lord’s demands are • Is this true? 1 Jn 5:3 • Determining factor? AttitudeGen 29:20
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • Such disciples won’t get any farther “mischaracterizing” the Lord as did this “1-talent” slave in slandering his master • There is always a way to serve his Lord… love finds a way to be useful Mk 14:8
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “1-talent” slave… • Some have also convinced themselves that “sins of omission” aren’t as bad as “sins of commission” • Obviously, Jesus thinks otherwise in this parable v. 26 Jas 4:17
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheApplication • Re: the “5 & 2-talent” slaves… • What greater joy could there be than to hear “Well done…enter in…” • Wouldn’t you work 1,000 lifetimes to hear Jesus say this to you?
The Talents Matt 25:14-30 TheLesson • While I’m waiting… Mt 25:1-13 • …what am I doing with what the Master has entrusted to me? • Am I busy using my “talents?” • Am I doing nothing • Have I buried my “talents?”