Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Whenever we read, preach, or teach on a parable, it is always important to remember a couple of things. First, to whom Jesus tells the parable, and two, why the parable is told. Knowing the reason for the parable is always the first step to understand it.
Today’s narrative begins in chapter 24 where Jesus tells this parable to His disciples after they have become fascinated with the Temple. Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2. In other words, forget about the Temple. The Temple is beautiful, yes, but the Temple is going to be torn down. Every building is going to be torn down. When a Jew heard something like that, it meant only one thing: the end of the age. Therefore, it was only logical that they wanted to know when was all this going to happen. Consequently, they asked Jesus, “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3
To answer that question, Jesus tells them three parables. One about the master who went on a journey and put one of his servants on charge of the others. However, the master returned from the trip sooner than expected and caught the servant on charge mistreating his fellow servants. The servant in charge thought his master would delay his return; therefore, he took some time to do as he pleased. The second parable Jesus tells them is the parable of the bridesmaids. We spoke about it last Sunday. Five were wise and brought extra oil for the lamps, and five were careless and did not bring enough oil for the big event. They thought the bridegroom was not coming soon, and they had more time to prepare themselves and did not need much oil, however, he came back sooner than they expected and he found them with empty lamps.
Both parables have to do with the question, “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” If the foolish virgins had known the bridegroom was not going to be delayed, they would have been ready with extra oil. If the wicked servant had known the master was coming soon, he would not have been caught mistreating his fellow servants.
As part of the same answer, Jesus tells His disciples a third parable, the one we read this morning. The parable of the talents, and just like the other two parables, is about waiting for the master to come back.
From the previous parables: the wicked servant and the unprepared bridesmaids, we can conclude that they needed to know when all this was going to happen so that they can get their lives in order; they wanted to know when to stop doing what was wrong and start doing what was right; The Servant and the bridesmaid wanted to know so they could delay the orders they had received. How long can they put off what was asked by their master; they wanted to know when, so they can turn their lives around and prepare for the judgment day, just on time.
Like the other two parables, the parable of the talents is a parable about waiting ready at any time, but this time not with oil as the bridesmaids or in good relationships as the wicked servant. This parable is about waiting at any time and producing for our master. Using our time and what our master has given us wisely. This parable is about talents and skills. Paul reminds us that we all have different kinds of skills. Listen to Romans 12:6-8, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Even when we do have different gifts or talents, we all have something in common: Time. Time is God’s gift. Time is the precious treasure that we all have. According to the parables, we do not know when we will be face to face with our master. Therefore, we must invest our time doing God’s will, preparing ourselves to receive Him, and gaining capital for His kingdom. With these three parables, Jesus was teaching his disciples and us to not waste our time, to not worry about when His coming is going to happen, but to be concern about how we are living, how we are investing the time while He is physically absent. With these parables, Jesus is telling His disciples and us today: do not worry about the signs on the sky or earth worry about the signs we are sending others with our actions while we are waiting for Him.
Today’s lesson is not isolated, is part of the other two parables, and together they give us a bigger picture of how we can prepare for the coming of the Lord and how we must wait for his return.
How can we wait for Jesus’ return? First, being an obedient servant, working every day, building good relationships with our fellow servants, so we can be found faithful as the first parable reminds us.
Second, we can wait for His return being sure to have enough oil in our lamps. How can we fill our lamps with oil? By worshiping God right where we are; by reading the Bible and praying; by testifying of what God has done in our lives. When we do that, we are filling our lamps.
Third, we wait for his return, investing our time to get His kingdom come to others and working for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Remember, our greatest prize as Christians will be to hear Jesus’ voice saying: “Well done, good and faithful servant! … Come and share your master’s happiness!” Therefore, remember Romans 12:6-8, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Talking about waiting, I heard once about two newlywed sons returning home after a long day working on the field with their father. The first one said I can image my lovely wife waiting for me by the window. I know she has been seated there the whole day waiting for me. The other one said, my dear wife is doing something similar; she can wait to see me coming home. She cannot take her eyes away from the window. She has been like that the whole day.
Then their father spoke and said, I know your mother is not by the window waiting for me. Ever since I left, she is thinking of what she will cook because she knows I will return hungry and tired. At this moment, I can imagine her getting the diner ready because she knows I will be home soon. How are we waiting for our Lord? Looking for signs or working for Him?