Holy Week 2022: Tuesday

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘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.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘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.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25:13-30

As Jesus was preparing togo to the cross, he also was preparing his disciples for his departure. And part of that preparation was helping them look forward to his return. In this text, the master distributes huge sums of money—a talent is the modern equivalent of more than $500,000—to three servants to steward while he is gone. Two of the three wisely invested the money and earned a return. However the third, out of laziness and fear, hid what he had been given and did nothing with it.

This passage is certainly about money, but it is not only about money. It is also about the gifts, skills, and abilities that God gives each one of us. He desires that we use those gifts, not hide them. More specifically, he desires that we use those gifts for his kingdom purposes.

The person who takes what God has given them and does their best to make it count for the Kingdom, that is the person who truly knows Christ and is living for him. The person that hides those gifts, ignoring the fact that the Master is going to return, needs a wakeup call. This week, as we reflect on Jesus’ death and resurrection, let us not forget that the story does not end there. The Lord leaves behind resources, skills, and abilities with his people to use for his kingdom. And when He returns, he’ll ask each of us what we did with them.

Questions for Reflection

How can you become more aware of the reality that Jesus will return? How will that awareness affect how you live?
If Jesus were to return today and ask you how you used your resources, skills, and abilities for his kingdom, how would you respond?
Take some time to pray and ask God what resources, skills, and abilities he would have you invest in his kingdom purposes. Give yourself some time for the Holy Spirit to bring something to mind. Then, make a plan to follow through.