The Olivet Discourse (Part 6): The Parable of the Talents

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a parable in which a man entrusted his property to his servants. To one he gave five talents, to another he gave two talents, and to another he gave one talent. When the man returned, the first two servants had doubled the talents, while the third servant only gave back was he had been given. The man praised and rewarded the first two servants, while he condemned the third servant, took away his talent, and cast him into the outer darkness. 

In many of the parables, the kingdom of heaven is portrayed as a place of labor - a vineyard, a field, a household. Christ’s disciples do not only receive salvation, but they become servants of the Lord Jesus. It is as if they have reentered Eden by the grace of God and are called again to work and keep the garden, being fruitful, multiplying, and extending the borders of the garden. We are in the kingdom on different terms, by Christ through faith not by our perfect obedience, but like Adam and Eve we are given an active role in the kingdom on earth. We are not God’s pets. We are his vice-regents, entrusted with responsibility. We have been saved unto this end, and we demonstrate our faith by walking in a manner worthy of this calling.

Jesus has entrusted you with his property that you might engage in business with it. His disciples are not to sit around doing nothing, but are servants charged with responsibility. The church is the household of God, and historically households have been productive units, like companies. We are servants entrusted with our master’s property that we might make it profitable. The church is not like a sponge that just soaks in the water, but like a plant which receives water and produces things with it. And this applies to each of you individually - you each have a charge, a responsibility, a calling in the service of the Lord. The Lord Jesus has blessed you that you might bear fruit. Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings, that you might receive his commendation at his return.

1. The Lord has equipped and charged his disciples to “engage in business” until he returns.

In verses 14-15, Jesus describes himself as a master going on a long journey and entrusting his property to his servants. He would ascend to heaven, equipping and charing his disciples to fulfill their duties in the earthly administration of his kingdom.

Notice that the servants did not receive equal talents, but were entrusted with different amounts based on their ability. Like a good manager, the Lord distributes various responsibilities to his servants with wisdom.

A “talent” was a large sum of money. A denarius was about a day’s wage, and a talent was 6,000 denarii, about 20 years of labor. In other words, these servants were entrusted with substantial capital for profitable business. Even the servant with one talent was given a great responsibility. Just as the master called them and entrusted them with these talents until he returned, so Jesus calls his disciples and equips them and charges them to work until he returns.

Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. Do not envy others for the ways God has blessed and given responsibilities to them. Each disciple has his or her own role. Each one is just as much a servant of the Lord as the other. What matters is not what you have been given, but how faithful you are with what you have been given. The first servant was given more, but he was also expected to produce more. Diligence is required of everyone. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).  

God’s word gives directions for his household’s management and how each one should serve him. His word not only directs you how to use Christ’s blessings, but it is itself a treasure Christ has entrusted to his church (1 Tim. 3:15, 2 Tim. 1:13-14). Each member is responsible to preserve it, maintain its doctrine, and make it fruitful. He gave us the sacred oracles that they would be received and believed, that they would dwell among us richly (Col. 3:16ff). Those who profitably use God's word with understanding will grow in wisdom, while those who do not will loose even what they have (Matt. 13:10-13).

2. Some disciples serve the Lord in accord with their calling, while others neglect this responsibility.

Verses 16-18 describe how two of the servants went and expanded the wealth of the household by engaging in business with their capital, while one servant went and buried his capital to hide it.

Likewise, some disciples go and extend the kingdom of Christ by serving him with what they have received, while others do not make use of his blessings. May you be one of those who use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings.

To “make a profit” with God’s blessings, remember the ends he has in blessing you: to renew you according to his image, to extend his glory and reign on earth, to make you a blessing to others. So direct your use of his blessings to these ends: your personal sanctification, God’s glory and reign on earth, the good of others, and the good of Christ’s household, the gathering and edifying of the saints (Matt. 5:13-16, Gal. 6:9-10). 

As 1 Corinthians 7 and Colossians 3-4 teaches, serve the Lord where you are, occupying your station as service to Christ. Begin where you are, and if you have a lawful opportunity for a better use of your abilities, use it. In any case, it is not just church officers who serve the Lord. Every believer in his or her calling serves the Lord. You multiply your talents as you manifest faithfulness to the Lord in your earthly work, letting your light shine in every corner of this dark world.

Again, do not grow discouraged if the results of your service are not spectacular compared to others. One servant made two more talents and the other made five, being given different talents to begin with. Both were good and faithful servants. Likewise, the seeds in good soil bore different amount of produce, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. The main point is that a good servant is an active servant, a producer not only a consumer of blessing, a fruitful rather than a dead plant. Be encouraged with what inward grace you see, and seek to continually double it.

3. When the Lord returns, he will commend and reward good and faithful servants.

Verses 19-23 describe how the master returned and praised the faithful servants, giving them more. 

He returned “after a long time.” The time between Christ's first and second comings was not going to be short. Christ's disciples have need of endurance and perseverance as they serve the Lord. 

But thought he is gone for a long time, yet the master will indeed come and settle accounts. This refers to the final judgment at Christ's second coming (notice that they are the same event). 

On that day, the good works of believers will be revealed and praised. The Lord’s response to both diligent servants was, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” True disciples will be commended by the Lord Jesus and will enter into his joy and prosperity, receiving their eternal inheritance.

Notice how these great sums of money formerly entrusted to them are described as “a little.” His present blessings are tremendous, but they are “little” compared to the glory that awaits.

Now, how can we be described as good and faithful servants? Does this passage teach salvation by works?

First, this parable does not portray all people and ask whether they have sinned or not. As in many of these parables, it portrays the disciples of Christ and asks whether they are genuine or not. Their relationship to the Lord Jesus is what saves them, and their works demonstrate that relationship.

Second, believing Christians can be described as good and faithful servants not because they are flawless, but because they have been born again (so that they have the ability to do good) and they have been clothed with Christ’s righteousness (so that every sin is covered and your person and your sincere good works are accepted by God through Christ).

Third, in the parable, the servants’ work did not earn their reward. They were servants who did what they were supposed to do (Luke 17:7-10). The master was not obligated to set them over much. Both the talents and the reward are graciously given by a generous master. The Lord rewards us not on the basis of our merit, but on the basis of his grace. As Colossians 3:24 says, we receive the inheritance as our reward. The basis for this reward is found in Christ’s redemptive work which has secured it as an inheritance for those who believe in him.

Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. However much you may be derided or persecuted for your faithfulness here, know that you shall by no means loose your reward. You serve the Lord Christ, and he will not forget you. 

However much you may need to sacrifice and strive, it will be worth it to have followed Jesus. It can be difficult to serve the Lord, to subdue the flesh, to resist the world and the devil, to hold fast to the truth. But it will be worth it to hear him say, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

Keep this future coming in mind as you find motivation to faithfully serve the Lord. Work in hope. His triumph will be your triumph, his joy shall be your joy, his prosperity will be your prosperity.

4. When the Lord returns, he will rebuke and punish wicked and slothful servants.

Verses 24-30 describe the judgment of the slothful servant. The slothful servant immediately bursts into excuses even before he gives back his talent. He pleads fear. He personifies Proverbs 22:13, “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!’” 

The excuses of slothful disciples will fall flat on that day, just this excuse falls flat. Even if the master had been a hard master, the servant could have invested the money with the bankers. As David Dickson says, “Let a man deceive himself now as he list, and please himself with pretenses as he will, all excuses shall be retorted [turned back] and made matter of his condemnation, and the unfaithful servant shall be cast into hell.” Regardless of his excuse, he had been slothful and negligent.

His slothfulness and his excuse were evidences that he had lacked faith in Christ and love for Christ. Faith in Christ motivates a person to follow Christ, to trustingly act upon his instructions. Love for Christ spurs a person to faithfully serve him. But a person without faith and love will shrivel up under difficulty. Whatever privileges he has will remain unfruitful and will be taken away.

Therefore, use the present time to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings. Take heed of this warning and turn away from the ways of this unprofitable servant. Cast away slothfulness. Be careful not to excuse your negligence. As Romans 12:11 says, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

Do not fear the Lord in such a way as to avoid him and his service. Fear him with godly reverence, but not with timid fright. Supplant that timidity with faith and love. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Jesus judges those who refuse to serve him, but he is gentle and forgiving to those who come to him and receive his yoke. 

Conclusion

The Lord Jesus has blessed you that you might bear fruit. He has equipped you and charged you to engage in business until he comes. You are not called to be idle, but to be active, serving the Lord. Therefore, go out from here to serve the Lord as faithful stewards of his blessings, that you might receive his commendation at his return.

The Olivet Discourse (Part 5): The Parable of the Ten Virgins

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (1822) by William Blake

It would be a dreadful thing to be unprepared on judgment day. The door to the kingdom of heaven will be shut, and there will be no reopening of that door. What happens in this short life of yours has eternal consequences. With the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), Jesus warned his disciples of the danger of being left out and exhorted them to be watchful and prepared for that day. “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it” (Prov. 27:12).

He said the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them wisely brought enough oil, while five foolishly did not. They all fell asleep as the coming of the bridegroom was delayed. When he came, only the wise virgins had enough oil to light their lamps. They entered the wedding hall with the bridegroom, while the foolish virgins went to get more oil and were unable to enter the wedding hall when they returned.

The bridegroom is Christ. The ten virgins are the visible church. The arrival of the bridegroom is the second coming, which has not come as soon as some have expected. Their sleep refers to death, and their waking refers to the resurrection. Some go in with Jesus into eternal glory, while others are not recognized and are shut out.

The foolish virgins were not prepared and their lights went out for lack of oil. The wise virgins were prepared and their light was sustained by their supply of oil. Similar to the seed in rocky soil and the house on the sand, these torches without extra oil were temporary responses to the gospel without proper foundation, unable to endure testing.

Therefore, be prepared. To be watchful does not mean literally be awake - they all slept - but to be prepared. What does it mean to be prepared? What is the oil? It is true conversion, a living and fruitful union with Christ by faith. Compare the lamp with oil to the seed in good soil (those who understand the word and bear fruit), and the wise man who built on the rock (those who hear his words and do them). Jesus had described their righteous living as their light in chapter 5 and he had warned them that it must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, being rooted in the heart and not merely for the praise of man. As David Dickson comments,

As among the virgins in the parable, so in the visible Church, only those are wise who with the outward lamps of open profession labour to be furnished inwardly with the saving graces of the Holy Spirit: namely, faith working by love, and repentance mortifying their sinful lusts, that in newness of life they may glorify God. But whoso are destitute of inward grace in their heart, they are foolish: for the lamps of their outward profession without oil serve to no purpose when matters come to a trial.

1. You will be tested.

The ten virgins represent the visible church, the society of those who profess the true religion and their children. They have gathered to meet the bridegroom, but some are wise and some are foolish. Not all will inherit the kingdom - some are prepared, and others are not.

His delay tests us. Temptations and opposition test if your faith is sound and permanent. It is a momentary excitement? Is it kept up merely for the praise of man? If so, it will fade away. But if it is a true conversion of heart and mind to follow Christ, with faith in his mercy, then time and trials will ultimately strengthen it.

The trials of this delay help prepare you for the final test of judgment day. They expose false security and teach you to exercise a lively faith, to dig deeper, to grow further, to make your calling and election sure. The final test will come on the day of judgment, when the truth will be revealed. 

True faith endures both tests. It endures throughout this life to the end, and it holds up to examination on the final day. For its strength and resources come from the unlimited supply of the Spirit of God working through the word of God transforming you into the image of God.

So be prepared, for you will be tested. Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, that you might endure in it to the end. Bring the oil of inward grace with your lamps, that your light might shine eternally.

2. You will not have time to prepare at his coming.

When the call came at midnight, the destinies of the virgins were already set in stone. It was too late for the foolish virgins to get more oil. Though they doubtless ran as fast as they could to buy more, they were too late to welcome the bridegroom. They should have brought more oil at the beginning, or at least before they fell asleep.

Now is the time to prepare, before you sleep. Your spiritual condition at death determines your destiny at his coming. The wise virgins prepared beforehand. They fell asleep, but with more oil in store. When they woke, they were ready.

So be prepared, while you have time. Be prudent and do not procrastinate. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If you are unsure of your spiritual condition, attend to that matter. If you are young and think you will become serious about God when you get older, wait no longer. Receive the Lord Jesus, and from him receive the oil for your lamps.

3. You will need to provide your own oil.

When the call came at midnight, the wise virgins were not able to share their oil with the foolish virgins. It was every woman for herself. Likewise, at the coming of the Lord, it will be each of you for yourself. It will not help you to have godly friends and family on that day. The question will be whether you have prepared yourself for that day. David Dickson comments,   

As in the parable the wise could not help the foolish, nor the foolish hurt the wise, so the society of the hypocrites with the godly in the visible Church shall not be prejudicial to the sound Christians in the day of God’s judgment; not yet the society of the godly avail the hypocrites, among whom they have lived, but every man shall be judged according to that which is within him.

So prepare yourself. You can certainly help each other now, encouraging each other to follow the Lord Jesus. But you cannot be saved for another. Nor can you be saved by relying on others to prepare for you. As Paul says in Galatians 6, “let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load” (Gal. 6:4–5).

4. You will be greatly undone at his coming if you are not prepared.

These foolish virgins expected to enjoy a feast, to accompany the bridegroom into the feast in honor and joy. But in a moment, they realized their error and frantically ran to find oil. But when they returned, the door was firmly shut. They cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But the bridegroom responds, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” They are disowned. They are unable to enter. Their hopes are dashed.

Likewise, Jesus will disown and reject those who claim his name but do not follow him. As he warned in Matthew 7:21-23, 

Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

The stakes are high. Guilt, shame, rejection, exclusion, despair - these are what will be experienced by those who have not prepared for Christ’s coming. The Lord whom they had claimed will himself pronounce and execute the judgment. So be prepared, lest that day be one of rejection and despair.

5. You will be greatly blessed at his coming if you are prepared.

Christ’s coming is our blessed hope. As the beginning of this parable indicates, it is central to our identity as Christ’s church. We are waiting to greet him. It will be the beginning of the great feast, on a higher level than anything we have experienced. We desire to greet him and to be always with him in his perfected kingdom.

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul describes that day in terms quite similar to this parable. 

• In addressing whether the dead shall participate in the blessings of that day, Paul describes deceased saints like the wise virgins in this parable - those who have "fallen asleep." But Jesus shall wake them and bring them with him when he returns, just as the bridegroom woke and brought the virgins with him as he entered the wedding feast.

• Paul speaks of Christ’s coming being accompanied with a cry of command and the voice of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God, just as the virgins are summoned at midnight by the cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” In both cases, the voice wakes all those who had "fallen asleep" and summons his people to greet him.

• Paul uses the same word for “meet” that is used in the parable (ἀπάντησις). Paul says those who are in Christ shall go up to “meet” him in the air on his way down from heaven, just as the virgins went out to “meet” the bridegroom to escort him into the hall. The other use of this word in the NT is to describe how Christians from Rome went out to meet Paul to accompany him back to Rome. As Strong’s Concordance says, the word is “seemingly almost technical for the reception of a newly arrived official.” A very similar word is use to describe how the crowds came out of Jerusalem to meet Jesus, accompanying him into the city with joy. 

• Paul writes that having greeted Jesus, “we will always be with the Lord,” just as the five wise virgins who greeted Jesus went into the wedding feast with the bridegroom, unlike the five foolish virgins who were unprepared and unable to enter.

• Then he says, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” So also, this parable is a solemn warning, but it is also a word of comfort and encouragement. The Lord will come. Though he delays, yet he shall come. And when he comes, it will be a day of joy and fulfillment for those who are ready for him.

If you are prepared, you shall enter with him and not be shut out. You will be filled with joy rather than terror. You will receive honor rather than shame. You will be openly recognized and welcomed by the Lord Jesus. 

Conclusion

Therefore, prepare yourself for that day. Seek the strength that God supplies, drawing life from Christ by faith. Be diligent in your use of the means he has appointed. Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. For if you abide in him, you will never run dry. Your lamp have an abundant supply and will shine bright on that day when the Lord comes to be glorified with all his saints. 

The Olivet Discourse (Part 4): The Day of Christ's Return

From Matthew 24:36 to the end of chapter 25, Jesus answers the second part of the apostles' question, "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" He answers it in the following way: 

24:36-44 - Introduction to the second coming
24:45-51 - The parable of the two servants
25:1-13 - The parable of the ten virgins
25:14-30 - The parable of the talents
25:31-46 - A description of the final judgment

Today I will cover Matthew 24:36–51. In all three of these parables, there is a theme of delay, of a longer wait than expected. In the first parable, the wicked servant misuses this delay to abuse his position. In the next parable, the bridegroom’s arrival is delayed, so ten virgins fall asleep. The wise virgins prepare for a longer wait before they sleep. In the next parable, the master goes off to a far country and after a long time returns. 

It was natural for his disciples to expect an immediate consummation. That was what many people expected from the Messiah’s first coming. When Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple, the disciples figured that such a dramatic event must be connected with his coming and the end of the age. But Jesus prepared them and all the church to continue to live in expectation of his coming, even though the time be longer than expected. They would need to stay awake.

In other words, Jesus is teaching you to not be like the Israelites, who went astray as soon as Moses stayed on the mountain longer than expected. Just because his coming did not happen right away does not mean it will not happen. This apparent delay is not an excuse to be negligent. For when the end comes, it will have consequences for everyone who has ever lived. Jesus wants his disciples to serve him faithfully and to endure to the end. Jesus will return, and you do not know when. So serve him with faithfulness and endurance.

1. We do not know the day and hour of Christ’s coming and the end of the age.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

As I argued in my previous post, this verse signals a change of topic to the second part of their question, regarding his coming (parousia) and the end of the age.

Regarding “these things” (24:34, Jerusalem’s desolation), Jesus knew when it would happen and gave both the timing (in that generation) and several signs, including one in particular that would indicate when it would be imminent (the abomination of desolation). But with regard to “that day and hour” (24:36) no one knew when it would take place, not even the angels or the Son, only the Father. The Father kept to himself the timing of the day and hour of Christ’s return and the end of the age.

How did even the Son not know? There is mystery here in the interaction of Christ’s two natures, but we know as a human he grew in knowledge. At this point, before his exaltation, he did not know this, at least according to his human nature and his messianic office. He did not need to reveal it to his disciples.

We are told in general terms things that happen between Christ’s first and second comings. In fact, the disciples knew that Jesus would not come back before the desolation of Jerusalem. They knew that the parables of the spread of the kingdom would need to be fulfilled before he returned. The duty of watchfulness in this passage is not incompatible with believing that there are prophecies to be fulfilled before his return. But while they had some clues as to when the coming would not be, they were given no signs of when his coming would be. They were given no timing, no sign, no calculations, only the certainty that it would come in the end. That was the important thing. 

Therefore, do not try to calculate the time of Christ’s return, and do not pay attention to those who do. God has revealed to us those things which are needful and helpful to know, and he has not revealed to us the time of Christ’s return.

Jesus wanted his disciples to look for the signs of Jerusalem’s fall, but not for signs of his return. The disciples could escape the fall of Jerusalem, but you will not be able to escape his second coming, nor will you want to.

Instead, Jesus wants you to hope for his return and to live your life in expectation of that day, whenever it happens. It has the same significance to every generation of Christians, for whenever it happens, we will all be there. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to escape the judgment which is to come.

2. It will be a day and hour that will suddenly divide mankind.

In verses 37-44, Jesus expands on what that day will be like and how to live in preparation for it. The second coming of Jesus will interrupt daily life, dividing those who intermingled in society.

Jesus compares his coming (parousia) to the day of Noah (Matt. 24:37-39). His coming is the day of the final judgment for all, the living and the dead. 

Not that his coming is similar in all respects to the days of Noah. Verses 38-39 specify in what they they are similar. It will be similar in the fact that normal life continued until that day came without warning. The only warning was God’s word, telling Noah it would come. It did not come immediately, but when it came, it came suddenly. Those who were judged were caught by surprise and swept away. The only ones left were the ones who had trusted God’s word, built the ark, and entered it, despite no earthly indication that such a drastic judgment was coming.

Like Noah’s flood, Christ’s coming will make a division: one will be taken and one left (Matt. 24:40-41). Some people use this reference to one being taken and one left to support a rapture of believers, with unbelievers being “left behind” for tribulation. But consider a few things:

1. The tribulation earlier in the chapter referred to tribulation in Judea which culminated in the destruction of the temple in AD 70. There is no tribulation mentioned after this taking and leaving. This taking and leaving occurs on that day and hour of Christ’s coming and the end of the age. In the Bible, the second coming of Christ, the end of the age, the resurrection, and the final judgment are all the same event.

2. It is not immediately clear whether the person who is taken or the person who is left is saved. What is clear that one of them is saved while the other is not. Their destinies are different.

3. It becomes more clear who is who when the immediate context is examined. Christ’s coming is compared to the flood, and in the flood, the wicked were the ones swept away (v. 39) while Noah and his family inherited the new earth.

4. Look more broadly at the context of Matthew. In the interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds, it is the lawbreakers who are gathered "out of his kingdom" and thrown into the fiery furnace while the righteous remain in the kingdom (13:41-43). As Jesus said in chapter 5, the meek will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).

So when it says one will be taken and the other left, the one taken is taken away to judgment, while the one left is left to inherit the perfected kingdom. The main point is that mankind will be separated on that day. Jesus will come and judge the living and the dead. Those who worked in the same field, who ground at the same mill, who were partners in things of this life, will be separated on the basis of their relation to Jesus Christ. Did they repent and follow him, or did they ignore him?

Therefore, stay awake, like a man prepared for a thief in the night (Matt. 24:42-44). Staying awake is a metaphor for being prepared, casting off the works of darkness and false security, and following the Lord. Again, now is the time to prepare for that final day. 

Do not be soothed into apathy by the regularity of life, but live in light of the coming day. Do not be like the scoffers recounted in 2 Peter who say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” They deliberately overlook creation and the flood. Judgment day is coming.

Make that coming day a delight by being ready. Repent and follow Jesus, placing your faith in him. Confess him before men. In this way, you might look with hopeful expectation for that day, a day on which you will be openly acknowledged and acquitted and blessed. 

3. The parable of the two servants

What does readiness look like? It does not look like sitting at the window, looking at the clouds. It does not mean giving up on long term projects and expectations. It means being like the wise and faithful servant who fulfills his calling and serves his Master.

In verses 45-51, Jesus tells the parable of the two servants. The wise and faithful servant is found fulfilling his calling. He is rewarded with a greater position. But the wicked servant abuses his position when his master delays, beats his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards. He is caught in the act, cut into pieces, and put with the hypocrites in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In Luke’s gospel, this parable is part of a more extended parable, with this part portraying the apostles in particular, with their greater responsibilities in the church as stewards of the house, to manage and feed (12:35-48). This is how the ministers and elders of the church are described in the New Testament (Titus 1:7, 1 Cor. 4:1-2, 1 Tim. 3:4-5, 2 Tim. 2:24). In fact, the faithful and wise servant seems similar to the “scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew 13 who is compared to “a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” (Matt. 13:51-52). Having understood the gospel, they were to bring out of the treasury of Scripture the teachings of the old and new testaments provide for the household of faith.

The officers of Christ’s church must be wise and faithful in fulfilling their charge in Jesus’ house. They must use their position to manage the household well, giving each their food at the proper time. Ministers of the gospel are to feed Christ's sheep, teaching, encouraging, admonishing, administering word, sacrament, and discipline, for edification and maturity. They must not use their position to treat others harshly, to serve themselves, or to live without self-control and encourage others to do so. They must remember that Jesus cares for his house and loves his servants. 

This parable also had a broad application to every Christian. Everyone is called to be a wise and faithful servant in God’s kingdom. Through the mediation of Christ, God is pleased to accept and reward sincere service from Christ's disciples. Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Promote the well-being of the household of God and your fellow servants. Blessed are those who have followed Jesus to the end. They will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Cursed are those hypocrites who do not. They will suffer God’s wrath and be cast into hell, a place of agony and exclusion.

Conclusion

Jesus will return, and you do not know when. So serve him with faithfulness and endurance. The one who endures to the end will be saved. Keep that day and hour of Christ’s return before you. It is your blessed hope, a day of glory. Live in expectation of it. Be ready for it, faithfully serving the Lord until he comes.

The Olivet Discourse (Part 3): But Concerning that Day and Hour

In Matthew 23, Jesus tells the the scribes and Pharisees that because of their hypocrisy, unbelief, and consistent persecution of God’s messengers and saints, God’s judgment would be poured out on that generation. In Matthew 24:1-3, the disciples ask about the timing of this judgment and the destruction of the temple, although they conflated it with Christ's coming at the end of the age.

Jesus answers their question and gives a clear indication of the timing. From verse 4 to 35 he prophesies concerning the events that would take place in that generation in connection with the desolation of Jerusalem (see here and here). In verse 36 he begins to speak of the end of the age and distinguishes it from the destruction of Jerusalem and he gives no timing or sign for that day. Here are several reasons to take 24:36 as the point where Jesus shifts from the fall of Jerusalem to his second coming at the end of the age.

1. “But concerning…” (24:36) is a phrase used in the New Testament to indicate a change of subject or to move on to a different question. This is the case in Matthew 22:31, six times in 1 Corinthians, and twice in 1 Thessalonians. Reviewing these occurrences, commentator R.T. France writes, “In each case peri de is the rhetorical formula for a new beginning. The analogy with 1 Corinthians indicates that here the phrase marks the transition from the first of the two questions asked in v. 3 to the second.”

2. 24:34 makes a fitting conclusion to his instructions regarding the desolation of Jerusalem. In it he says that “these things” which he had described up to that point would happen before that generation passed away (compare this with the similar expression used in 23:36).

3. The disciples had asked about “the end of the age,” which is a phrase that always refers to the final judgment and consummation. It is used in the parable of the wheat and weeds for the harvest when the kingdom will be purified of all causes of sin and lawbreakers (Matt. 13:39-40). It is used in the parable of the net for when those gathered by the kingdom will be sorted by the angels (Matt. 13:49). It is also used in the Great Commission, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). So Jesus begins to speak of this final event after he was done describing the events of that generation.

4. Jesus refers to “that day.” He had already spoken of a particular day throughout his ministry: the day of judgment, a universal judgment, when he would judge (Matt. 7:22, 10:15, 11:22, 24, 36). His parables had taught that this would occur at the end of the age. Thus, it makes sense for him to refer to his coming and the end of the age with the phrase “that day and hour.”

5. While he had spoken of the coming (erchomai) of the Son of Man in heaven (24:30) as occurring in that generation - a reference to his ascension and reign at the Father’s right hand - he did not speak of his “parousia,” the word for “coming” in their question (24:3), until verse 36, except to say in verse 27 that it will be unlike the appearances of false Christs during the fall of Jerusalem.

6. While he gave clear timing and signs for the desolation of Jerusalem, he did not have knowledge (with respect to his humanity) concerning "that day and hour," and so does not indicate its timing or signs. There is some mystery here, but this further serves to indicate a shift at verse 36.