On Line Bible Study - For the week September 29 - October 5, 2008
Lesson 355
Matthew's Apocalypse
We mentioned last week that Matthew 24-25 are apocalyptic sections of the gospel. Recall there are several important factors regarding this kind of literature:
1. First, in the Hebrew Bible this kind of literature surfaced when the people faced extreme challenges bordering on their annihilation. It was offered as encouragement - that God would provide a way where there seemed to be no way.
2. Second, apocalyptic literature is a "revelation" - it means a secret is about to be disclosed or a mystery made clear. If you recall Matthew 24 Jesus tells his disciples to be careful not to be deceived (verse 4). He then interprets the events of his day, telling the disciples what to look for.
3. Apocalyptic literature is intended to be an encouragement for watchfulness and resourcefulness. That leads us to the two parables and the story we are considering this week in Matthew 25.
The Parables . . .
Matthew 25:1-13 First, we read the Parable of the Ten Virgins. It's a wedding, and the bridesmaids (that is what is meant in the text by ten virgins) have the role of bringing the bridegroom to the bride in a grand, celebratory procession. The issue in this parable is one of preparedness. Five brought a sufficient quantity of oil; the other five did not. While they were out procuring oil, the bridegroom arrived, the procession ensued, the wedding began and the door was shut. When the five who had been out shopping returned they were not allowed in. But it's not so much that they were excluded as that they had not been present to do their job, that is, to provide light and celebration to the procession.
Matthew 25:14-30 Second, we read the Parable of the Bags of Gold. Here three servants are entrusted with a portion of their master's treasure - five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to still another. The first two invested the money and doubled the amount that had been trusted to them. The third man buried his bag of gold. When the master returned and demanded an accounting, so angry was he with the third man that he had him thrown out into the darkness. Do you know what God requires? Are you tending to it?
A question often asked of this parable is this: How would the master have reacted if the risk of his servants had resulted in the loss of his money? While a reasonable question, it doesn't get to the heart of the parable. That question must not be the excuse for our not risks on behalf of the kingdom of heaven! (Given the current status of Wall Street investments and the unprecedented cost to society of risks foolishly taken, the question does have contemporary significance.)
The Story . . .
Matthew 25:31-46 And finally, there is the story of The Sheep and the Goats - those who ministered to the king without knowing it, and those who unwittingly neglected the king because they ignored the needs of the poor, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner. All nations will be called to judgment (verse 32), and the criteria for entering their inheritance in the kingdom has to do with their treatment of others. Matthew doesn't dismiss the importance of faith; but in this story he makes sure to link what we profess with what we actually do. And the story does raise the question: Can one's actions demonstrate an un-professed faith?
The apocalyptic sections in Matthew's gospel pose several questions for our reflection:
1. Are you ready?
2. Are you risking?
3. Do you know what God requires?
4. Are you taking care of the poor?
All of this gathers much more intensity as we consider the first two verses of Matthew 26:
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away - and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
1. Was Jesus ready?
2. Did he take risks?
3. Did he know what God required?
4. Did he take care of the poor?
This is simply to point out that he didn't expect anything of them - or of us - that he didn't expect of himself.
This is the 61st lesson on the Gospel of Matthew. We have three chapters to go - some of the most complicated, intricate, confusing, tragic, challenging and exhilarating verses in all of Scripture await us! Next week we head into Chapter 26 - The Plot Against Jesus - that's how one of my Bibles labels it.
Matthew's Apocalypse
We mentioned last week that Matthew 24-25 are apocalyptic sections of the gospel. Recall there are several important factors regarding this kind of literature:
1. First, in the Hebrew Bible this kind of literature surfaced when the people faced extreme challenges bordering on their annihilation. It was offered as encouragement - that God would provide a way where there seemed to be no way.
2. Second, apocalyptic literature is a "revelation" - it means a secret is about to be disclosed or a mystery made clear. If you recall Matthew 24 Jesus tells his disciples to be careful not to be deceived (verse 4). He then interprets the events of his day, telling the disciples what to look for.
3. Apocalyptic literature is intended to be an encouragement for watchfulness and resourcefulness. That leads us to the two parables and the story we are considering this week in Matthew 25.
The Parables . . .
Matthew 25:1-13 First, we read the Parable of the Ten Virgins. It's a wedding, and the bridesmaids (that is what is meant in the text by ten virgins) have the role of bringing the bridegroom to the bride in a grand, celebratory procession. The issue in this parable is one of preparedness. Five brought a sufficient quantity of oil; the other five did not. While they were out procuring oil, the bridegroom arrived, the procession ensued, the wedding began and the door was shut. When the five who had been out shopping returned they were not allowed in. But it's not so much that they were excluded as that they had not been present to do their job, that is, to provide light and celebration to the procession.
Matthew 25:14-30 Second, we read the Parable of the Bags of Gold. Here three servants are entrusted with a portion of their master's treasure - five bags of gold to one, two bags of gold to another, and one bag of gold to still another. The first two invested the money and doubled the amount that had been trusted to them. The third man buried his bag of gold. When the master returned and demanded an accounting, so angry was he with the third man that he had him thrown out into the darkness. Do you know what God requires? Are you tending to it?
A question often asked of this parable is this: How would the master have reacted if the risk of his servants had resulted in the loss of his money? While a reasonable question, it doesn't get to the heart of the parable. That question must not be the excuse for our not risks on behalf of the kingdom of heaven! (Given the current status of Wall Street investments and the unprecedented cost to society of risks foolishly taken, the question does have contemporary significance.)
The Story . . .
Matthew 25:31-46 And finally, there is the story of The Sheep and the Goats - those who ministered to the king without knowing it, and those who unwittingly neglected the king because they ignored the needs of the poor, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner. All nations will be called to judgment (verse 32), and the criteria for entering their inheritance in the kingdom has to do with their treatment of others. Matthew doesn't dismiss the importance of faith; but in this story he makes sure to link what we profess with what we actually do. And the story does raise the question: Can one's actions demonstrate an un-professed faith?
The apocalyptic sections in Matthew's gospel pose several questions for our reflection:
1. Are you ready?
2. Are you risking?
3. Do you know what God requires?
4. Are you taking care of the poor?
All of this gathers much more intensity as we consider the first two verses of Matthew 26:
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away - and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
1. Was Jesus ready?
2. Did he take risks?
3. Did he know what God required?
4. Did he take care of the poor?
This is simply to point out that he didn't expect anything of them - or of us - that he didn't expect of himself.
This is the 61st lesson on the Gospel of Matthew. We have three chapters to go - some of the most complicated, intricate, confusing, tragic, challenging and exhilarating verses in all of Scripture await us! Next week we head into Chapter 26 - The Plot Against Jesus - that's how one of my Bibles labels it.
posted by Mark D at 12:03 PM
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