Matthew 25 reminds me of Roy the funny looking boy. He was in my 3rd grade class, and Roy looked, talked and acted differently. He did not even play any of the games we played at recess. I remember being able to mimic his speech, and always got a laugh, except the one time he was standing behind me with that silly grin. No one laughed. When we all returned from Christmas break, our teacher announced through tears that Roy passed away from brain cancer. She told us that even though he was very sick, he told his mom that he wanted to stay in school with his friends. I was stunned. Today’s chapter is a sober reminder that it is easy to love the lovely. The chapter begins with a parable that does not culturally translate well to our society. We are given a picture of young ladies waiting for the groom to arrive for the wedding. “Five of them were foolish and five were wise”. Some were prepared, anxious, ready and full of anticipation for his arrival. The others began to prepare only after they heard him approaching. It would be the equivalent of the bride saying, “I’ll skip the ceremony and see you at the reception”, but when she arrives the door is locked and the sign reads “I don’t know you”. As believers, we are to live with hopeful anticipation. The unasked question is, are you ready for the return of Christ?
The next parable is a familiar one; a wealthy man goes on a long trip, but first calls his servants. He gave each a sum of money, “each according to his ability”. One was given 5 bags of gold, one was given two and the last was given one bag. “The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more… But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money”. When the master returned the first servant greeted him, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more”. The master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” The servant with two did the same, but the servant with one confessed that he was afraid and hid the money, but safely returned what he was given. He was called a “wicked, lazy servant”. Each of us are given talents, are you using yours, or fearfully hiding them? Are you faithful with the little things?
Finally the chapter closes with a promise that “When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will sit on His glorious throne… All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people”. To those on His right He will bless them, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”. He adds, “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 invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me”. They will ask Him “When?” The Lord’s response will stun some and horrify others, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me”. What of those on the left? He pronounces, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil… I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me”. Even today, I think of Roy. How do we treat the unlovely? My friend, who are “the least of these” in your life?