Good morning. Sorry for falling behind yesterday and not posting! I got busy doing some things in the morning and then completely forgot! Ugh!
Jesus continues to teach in parables about the future Kingdom of God. This first one is a "follow-up" tp the servants from the last chapter. To understand it, we need to know a little about Jewish weddings. Traditionally, there are three stages to a Jewish wedding: engagement- a formal agreement made by the fathers; betrothal- a ceremony where promises are made between the two people; marriage- approximately one year later the bridegroom comes at an unannounced time for his bride. When the groom arrived, the wedding attendants (brides maids) would greet him with lamps to guide him to his bride. Ten was a customary number of attendants to have at a wedding. Jesus is the bridegroom (In Hebrew scriptures God is the groom, not the Messiah!). Some were wise (lamps full of oil), some were foolish (no oil in their lamps)-- they all fell asleep because the groom was delayed (we don't know the hour). The announcement is made that the groom is coming and they begin preparing their lamps; however- some don't have oil (often symbolic of the Holy Spirit). Those without oil were locked out of the wedding feast. All ten were expecting to be at the feast- but only those that were prepared were allowed in. This is a warning to the professing church- your future is not unconditionally assured. How many people do we know that are like the unprepared brides maids? They seem "ready" yet are not prepared!
The next parable focuses on the "readiness" addressed in the previous one. It was common for a wealthy person to give servants various responsibilities when they left for an extended trip. Here the responsibility is watching over the master's money. A talent is a measure of weight- so value would be dependent upon the actual coins- value around $1200 or so. Talent was not an ability- however, we cold extend that to this parable too. The first two servants immediately go out and trade and deal and make more money for their servant (although they started with different amounts- that doesn't matter). They were rewarded with "joy in your lord" (obvious echoes of the Kingdom)., The third servant- although he did what the master asked- watch the money- didn't gain anything: he didn't put forth any effort, he didn't try to better himself (or the money); he didn't work. The master wasn't too happy! The excuse the servant gave was that the master was all powerful. God is all powerful, yet God expects us to continue to work, to continue to harvest, to continue to go out and make disciples. Do we?
This last piece is a story of the future rather than a parable. A description of what is to come. When Christ returns, there will be judgment of all nations! Sheep and goats would comingle all day in the fields, but at night they would be separated into two groups. Sheep could tolerate the cool temperatures and stay outside, goats needed to be kept in a small group for warmth. In this story- the sheep are the good nations and receive the kingdom. They were judged on their actions (vv 35-36). The goats, on the other hand, were punished-- again being judged on their lack of works! To rekindle a discussion that comes up often in this group-- is it faith or is it works?!
These stories have lots of judgement and warnings in them. They are all strongly worded and can be quite frightening! Although they were directed at the people gathered, I am sure that the religious authority had their spies and knew what Jesus was saying. I can't imagine they were too happy- as evidenced by the next chapter- the plot to kill Jesus. Time is running short.
I hope you all have a great day.
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
Well it has been a very busy time at the Zaparzynski house so I am sorry that I have been absent. I have caught up on some of Matthew. Our three children and their families have been in town and I couldn't be happier than when we are all together. We lost both of my husband's parents in the past year and last Friday we buried then and celebrated their lives. We also celebrated our granddaughter turning three and just a lot of together time on the patio.
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to make a few comments on yesterdays discussion. Jack it seems you are awfully hard on yourself. I do believe our God is a forgiving God. That of course does not mean that we just do whatever we want but hopefully be aware of our short comings and try to do better.
As for today's readings... I try so hard to be prepared. Sometimes I am and other times I definitely fail.
When the servants receive the money and two of them double their money I am wondering how they doubled it. I am not a gambler so I would have probably put the money in the bank.
Looking forward to catching up on the readings.
Cindy,
DeleteWe just had our three sons and their families a few weeks ago. It was wonderful to have them here. My youngest lives nearby and we see them fairly often. My oldest and his family live in Ft Wirth, TX and my middle son, who is single, lives in Columbus, OH. It is wonderful when we can all get together. I hope you enjoy having your family as much as we enjoyed having ours.
It is good to have you back Cindy! Family is important! Glad you could spend time together celebrating the love of parents.
DeleteGod is forgiving and loving and accepting!
There is no indication from the parable how the servants increased their money. They may have loaned it out at high interest, they may have bought things and resold them at a higher price, they may have gambled with the money, they may have invested- other than the investing, they all sound quite risky (and slightly unethical in some cases!).
Thanks for the comments and questions Cindy!
Today we hear that we need to be prepared (Not run out of oil), we need to work hard for the Master (God) to be happy, and if we don't do what we should a very bad future is in store for us.
ReplyDeleteI've been in discussions about the parable of the talents. The idea is that if you don't work hard enough, God won't be happy with you. But how can this be when it's faith that God really wants to see when he evaluates us. It seems that God through Jesus is teaching us to love one another as he loves us. We can't do a good job of helping each other unless we do "work". I think God wants us to care, to try, and to show others that we are Christian by the way we live and love others. If we try to double our efforts, we will be even more successful. But we need that faith that we can do it with God's help.
Great comment about the talents! This does seem to be focused on the work the servants did (or didn't do) that God is focusing on. It does seem to be slightly different message than Jesus gives- love all. So are we judged not only by our faith but also but the works we do? Tough questions!
DeleteThanks Cathy!
To those who have commented on my blog of the day before yesterday, thank you. This is not the first time that I have been told that I am too hard on myself, but Chapter 24 scared the daylights out of me. I found your comments quite uplifting. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I did not understand the three parables until pastor explained them. Now, their meaning is clear in the fact that faith alone is not sufficient, but God expects us to work on his behalf as well. What work should we do? My belief is that we should work to utilize the gifts that God has given us. I have been blessed with a good, scientific mind a a good set of hands. I believe that using these gifts to further God's kingdom is what God wants us to do. By "furthering God's kingdom," I mean work to make the world a better place.
By using God's gifts, you will be a happier person and, this will build on the work that one does to make the world a better place, not unlike the person who turns 4 talents into eight talents.
Another take on the word "talent" is the gifts and graces and skills that we are given by God. How do we use them? Are we making life more pleasant here on earth? God gives us talents and skills- are we using them to "multiply" them by bringing people to God?
DeleteYou are right at using your talents to make this world a better place!
Good point Jack!