Ep. 241. Matthew 25 | Last Day Parables

EPISODE 241

LAST DAY PARABLES: MATTHEW 25

The difference between the wise and the foolish virgins is that the wise were prepared for the bridegroom's coming at whatever time, while the foolish were unprepared. I have heard people try to teach that the oil in the lamps was indicative of the Holy Spirit. They argue that those who didn't have enough oil lost the Spirit at some point. Not only does this text not deal with the Holy Spirit, but to say that this text is about the Holy Spirit is to ignore the context of this section of Matthew. This parable isn't any different than what has already been said, "Be ready for the coming of the son, the King, the bridegroom." "Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Why would we think this is about anything but being prepared for the return of Jesus?

The following parable repeats the same point in yet another way. The servants who were expecting the master's return lived differently than those who did not anticipate the coming of the master of the house. I feel it necessary to repeat that the "talents" here are not your singing ability or my artistic ability. Why do we do that? Why do we reduce texts to an elementary cultural view rather than try to understand the intent of these words of Christ and how his hearers might have understood them? I promise that Andrew wasn't nudging Peter in the side and saying, "I think Jesus is telling you to keep working on your puppeteer skills."

The final parable of the sheep and goats' separation is the same parable told in yet another variation. Those who loved the King rightly were shaped by that love to do works in accordance with their faith, and those who loved not the King found their lives void of the works that testified to love and faith.

How might we identify those people who know and love God? At least one way is that their lives today will be shaped by the promise of his return tomorrow.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 7:21-23; Revelation 7:9