The Gospel According to
Matthew 25
46 verses≈ 8 min5 peopleBSB
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The Parable of the Ten Virgins
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At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived.
Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.
Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’
But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Reflect
Oil for the long night
All ten had lamps, and all ten “became drowsy and fell asleep.” The difference was the oil they brought for a wait longer than they expected. At midnight the wise could not share theirs without running short themselves. What keeps your love for Jesus burning when His coming seems delayed?
The Parable of the Talents
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.
The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Matthew 25:21
Question
Quick question
Two servants came back with more than they were given. The master said exactly the same words to both.
How many talents did the servant who started with two bring back in all?
The Sheep and the Goats
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
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 foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
0:48
Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me
Matthew 25:40
You did it for Me
Whiteboard
Six ordinary needs, met with bread, water, a bed, a coat, a visit. The righteous never saw the King in them. He saw Himself in every one, and He counts each kindness to “the least of these” as done to Him.
The king
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’
Those on His left
And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
The king
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:46
Pray
Eyes to see Him
Neither group had recognized the King in the needy. “Lord, when did we see You hungry?” Ask the King for eyes to see Him in the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner near you, and for a heart that is ready when He comes.
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Matthew 25
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A verse to carry with you
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Matthew 25:40
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