Matthew - Week 79

Wicked and Lazy Servant 

READ 

Matthew 25:26-27 

26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’” 

This was the master’s answer to the servant who hid his money in a hole in the ground rather than doing something with it to gain increase or at least to make use of it. This causes believers today to wonder if they are using their money in the best way to honor the Lord. They should use, not abuse, what the Lord has entrusted to them. 

REFLECT 

Regardless of the amount of material wealth you have, are you using it to please Jesus? 

RESPOND  

Visit with a friend about the possibilities of using one’s means profitably. Consider especially supporting those who are doing the Lord’s work in spreading the gospel to others. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-21. This is the greatest return on investment. 

More Will Be Given 

READ 

Matthew 25:28-30 

28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” 

What little the unprofitable servant had was taken from him and given to those who had some increase for their investments. The attitude of this servant and lack of concern for living like he showed revealed he was not really one of the master’s true servants. This leads to the view of unbelievers being separated from believers when Jesus returns to earth. 

REFLECT 

Consider your life. Do your actions indicate you are a follower of Jesus?  

RESPOND 

Join with another believer and consider a comment sometimes made: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Some say they are believers, but what kind of fruit do their lives produce? See what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 7:15-17. 

Sheep and Goats 

READ 

Matthew 25:31-33 

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.” 

Jesus turned the story from a “master” to Himself. When He returns to earth all nations will be gathered before Him. The groups referred to are the same as in Matthew 28:19 where it is translated “all the nations.” When He returns to earth, He will separate believers (sheep) from unbelievers (goats).  

REFLECT 

You may live in a nation that is largely Christian, but there are a lot more out there still largely ignorant of the Gospel. All of them need to be reached for Jesus. 

RESPOND 

Regardless of where you live, visit with a fellow believer to talk about reaching other nations with the Gospel. Notice what Romans 10:14-15 says. This passage emphasizes the need to be responsible in helping and sending others to reach the lost.  

Inherit the Kingdom 

READ 

Matthew 25:34-36 

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’” 

When He returns to earth at the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will invite believers into His kingdom. Their actions prove they are His followers. Their actions also reveal that Jesus believes our helping others to be actions that are helping Him. He is not physically present but He lives through believers who are His hands and feet. 

REFLECT 

Consider that what you are doing as a believer in Jesus is showing others what Jesus would do for them. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what you are doing to serve others. Has it dawned on both of you that you are doing those things for Jesus? 

The Least of These 

READ 

Matthew 25:37-40 

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” 

Although the statement “the least of these” has been applied to many situations, it most likely refers to Jewish people in this context. The “brothers and sisters” literally reads “the brothers of me” in the Greek text. People were surprised that their helping others was really helping Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever considered that your helping others was really helping Jesus. 

RESPOND 

As you read the New Testament, do notice that some translations use red letters indicating the words of Jesus? Some think these words are more important than other words. But all of Scripture is inspired by God and is equally important as mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20-21.