[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 25
“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13)
“For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matthew 25:29)
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40)
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS (vs. 1-13)
The Kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five foolish virgins brought their lamp without oil while the other five wise virgins took oil in jars along with their lamps. During midnight, the lamps of the foolish ones were off. When the bridegroom came, they asked the wise ones to give them oil but they refused. Instead they told the foolish ones to go and buy outside. When the bridegroom arrived, the virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding. The door was shut and the foolish ones were not able to enter.
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS (vs. 14-30)
A man went on a journey. He entrusted his property to three servants. To one, he gave five talents, to another, 2 talents and to another, one talent, each according to their ability. The man with 5 talents earned another 5. The man with 2 talents earned another 2. But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid the money in the ground. When the master returned, the man with 5 talents brought 10 talents, and the one with 2 talents brought 4 talents to the master. But the one with one talent returned the one talent. The master commended the first two servants: “Well done, good and faithful servants. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (v. 23). Then he was angry with the third servant and call him wicked and lazy servant. He took the talent from him and gave it to the one who had 10 talents.
THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS ( vs. 31-46)
When Christ is on His throne with His angels in heavenly glory, He will separate the sheep from the goats from all nations. The sheep were the righteous people who did good deeds while they were on earth. And the goats were wicked people who were selfish and did not do any good deeds to people. He rewarded the sheep with eternal life but gave eternal punishment to the goats.
LESSON:
- The bridegroom represents Christ. The ten virgins are the “church”. The oil speaks of the Holy Spirit. Among the church, there are professed believers who do not have Holy Spirit within. So, when Christ returns, they are not ready at all. Therefore, let us stay awake and be ready.
- The talents represent opportunities to use our abilities to serve Christ. God’s ministry is not measured by great or small. Our service to God is measured by our faithfulness to Him. Whether the ministry is great or small, we will get the same reward. Therefore, we must use whatever abilities God has given us to the fullest. Otherwise, we will lose it and it will be given to others.
- There were three groups of people in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. (1)-Sheep (2)-Goat (3)-Brethren (v. 40). People who show the love of God and help the brethren who were suffering persecution will be separated and called the sheep. They will enter into the kingdom. But those who show no mercy to the needed brethren will be called the goats. They will be eternally punished. So, let us be ‘SHEEP” with evidence of faith in Christ by showing our love to the brethren. For Jesus said: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (v. 40)
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