The style and makeup of each set of individual studies - e.g. the first one immediately below - will become obvious. We have put in the verse answers to each of the 'Find Out' questions, but you will get most out of the study if you have an open Bible alongside you and you look out the verse yourself.

The primary objectives of these studies are a) to get you to read the Bible and b) to take in what you have read. At the end of each page of studies (normally a chapter) there will be a 'Recap' to remind you of what you have read. At the end of every 'set' (see the front Contents page) there will also be a 'Summary' and a 'Conclusions' that cover the pages in that set.

Chapter: Matthew 25

INTRODUCTION

The Ongoing Growing Tension in Matthew's Gospel:

In the previous six sets of Studies in Matthew's Gospel, Arrival Announced (Ch.1-4), Sermon on the Mount (Ch.5-7), Authorised Activity (Ch.8-11), Arriving Awareness (Ch.12-15), Awful Announcements (Ch.16-20) and Approaching Antagonism (Ch.21-24), we have watched a gradual building up of hostility from the Pharisees and other religious leaders of the day. Awful Achievement (Ch.25-28) takes us on to the final built up of the conflict whereby the religious leaders plot against Jesus, arrest him, falsely try him and end up being the cause of his death. The good news is that that is not the end of the story – the final part is the resurrection. Death cannot hold the Son of God!

The King in Charge

We've said in these Studies that Matthew shows Jesus as the coming king. If that is so, then these chapters show us the king who is in charge of the circumstances. Again and again he indicates his awareness of what is taking place and, even more, he is promoting and even controlling it. Watch for this aspect throughout the readings and catch the wonder of the One who knows, the One who controls.

The Breakdown of this set of Studies:

We will consider each chapter under the following headings:

  Chapter 25             - Final Parables

  Chapter 26:1-35      - Plots & the Passover meal

Chapter 26:35-75    - Arrest, trial & denial

  Chapter 27             - Trial, death & burial

  Chapter 28             - Resurrection

PART 1 : “Final Parables”

In this first Part of this set of Studies we pick up Jesus' discourse in response to the disciples, outside the Temple , asking about the End Times. He first of all spoke about the signs of the times but at the start of our studies he moves on to give two parables about being ready when he returns and a warning about the last judgement. This is his last ‘public' teaching about the world (the Last Supper discourse in John 14 onwards is really all for the church)

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:1-6

A. Find Out:

1. What is Jesus now illustrating? v.1a

"At that time the kingdom of heaven 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

2. Who, in the story, did what? v.1b

will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

3. What did the 5 foolish ones do? v.3

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

4. How did the 5 wise ones differ from them? v.4

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

5. What then happened? v.5

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6. What happened when? v.6

"At midnight the cry rang out: `Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

B. Think:

1. What had Jesus just been speaking about in chapter 24?

2. Who then will be the bridegroom of verse 6?

3. Who then are the ten virgins?

C. Comment:

This is a good story to start of a new set of studies for it is all about being prepared. Yet we must see it in context and realise that is part of Jesus teaching that started in chapter 24 and continues on here, which is all about being ready when he returns again.

Because of that we can say without hesitation that the bridegroom in verse 6 is Jesus himself when he returns. Thereafter the details may not be quite to easy to assume. The story is about a group of girls who are expecting to the bridegroom at a wedding to arrive (at what stage of a Jewish wedding isn't made clear and there we must assume it is not of importance). Yet they knowing he is going to come so they go to wait for him. The problem is that he doesn't come immediately and so they all fall asleep. There seems to be no problem about that and half way through the story no problem is revealed.

However we are given clues about an impending difficulty. 5 are called foolish because they took means of providing light in the dark but no oil to keep their lights going through the night, contrasted by the 5 wise girls who took oil to keep their lamps going. So, not only is Jesus saying “be prepared for me to return” but “make sure you are in a state to be accepted by me when I return”!

D. Application:

1. It's not enough simply to expect Jesus to return.

2. We must be in a fit state to receive him when he comes.

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:7-13

A. Find Out:

1. What first took place? v.7

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

2. What did the foolish ask the wise and with what answer? v. 8,9

The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'" `No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

3. So what did they do and what happened? v.10

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

4. What then happened? v.11,12

"Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!"But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

5. So what again does Jesus tell his followers to do? v.13

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

B. Think:

1. Why did the foolish girls have to leave?

2. What took place after they left?

3. What followed? What is the message of this parable?

C. Comment:

First let's recap the story to be clear. The call has come that the bridegroom is coming. The girls all wake up and prepare to meet him. It's dark so they adjust their lamps to give as much light as possible. Some of the girls realise their lamps are virtually out of oil, ask the others for oil, are refused and go to find some more. While they are away, the bridegroom comes, the wise girls go into the banquet with him and when the others come they are shut out.

In it's simplicity it is obvious: ensure your spiritual resources are sufficient for the day when Jesus returns otherwise you may not be in the right place doing what you should be doing when he comes, and therefore you will not be taken to heaven with him. The crucial point was that the foolish girls were not where they should be because they did not have the resources to be there. When Jesus returns he expects each of us to be in a specific place doing what he's given us to do (the previous parable - 24:45-51 - shows that).

If we do not have a living relationship with Jesus we will not have a proper supply of the Holy Spirit who is supposed to live within us, and we will fall away (24:10) and thus we will not be in the will of God. Jesus constant teaching seems to be that it is only those who do the will of his Father who will be saved (see also Mt 7:24 -27)

D. Application:

1. A living relationship with Jesus is our only guarantee.

2. Jesus wants to find us doing his will when he comes.

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:14-18

A. Find Out:

1. What is the next story Jesus told about? v.14

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.

2. How much did the master apportion to his servants? v.15a

To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent,

3. On what basis did he apportion it? v.15b

each according to his ability.

4. What did the first man do? v.16

The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more

5. What did the second man do? v.17

So also, the one with the two talents gained two more

6. What did the third man do? v.18

But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

B. Think:

1. What is the man I the story doing?

2. How do you think this follows on what Jesus has been saying?

3. What can we learn from the way the master acts?

C. Comment:

Jesus, you will remember has been speaking about being ready when he returns, so now he tells another short story to illustrate his teaching. In this one he portrays an owner going away for a time. In this he must be conveying the thought of himself going away - but he will be back! As he goes he entrust money to three of his servants. Now in Roman Law it was quite common for the master to entrust money to his slaves for them to use. Both the money and whatever they did with it still remained the property of the master - an important point to remember! So, in the story, we see the master giving 5 coins to one, two to another and one to the other.

Now the interesting thing to note is that he gave to “each according to his ability”. In Rom 12:3,6 we find Paul speaking of faith as a gift from God and our gifting being according to the grace given us . The clear teaching is that the talents and abilities we have are gifts from God, and they are different for each person. There is, in one sense, no such thing as “natural” abilities, everything we have is a gift from God. The other point here is that God expects us to USE what He has given us.

D. Application:

1. The abilities I have are God given. No room for pride!

2. God expects me to use what he has given me.

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:19-30

A. Find Out:

1. What happened with the man with 5 talents? v.19-21

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' "His 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!'

2. What happened to the man with 2 talents? v.22,23

"The man with the two talents also came. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "His 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!'

3. What did the last man feel about his master? v.24

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

4. So what had he done? v.25

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

5. What did he master expect he should have done & why? v.26,27

"His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

6. What was to be done to him? v.28,30

`Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

7. Why? What principle does Jesus operate on? v.29

For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him

B. Think:

1. Why were the first two servants praised?

2. What 3 courses of action were open to the last servant?

3. Why had he taken the course he had taken?

C. Comment:

We said yesterday that the master obviously expected his servants to USE the money entrusted to them. The first two had done and they were rewarded for the use they had made of it.

The last man held onto the talent. he could have invested it or he could have used it like the other, but he was locked up in fear, he saw his master as a fearful man. Perhaps because he is a slave there is also a sense of resentfulness in what he says - you harvest when you've contributed nothing towards it. He is unable to see that that the very act of entrusting him with something was an act of grace. The master didn't have to do that but he wanted to bless the servant. The man shows he has no sort of relationship with his master and for this he is severely dealt with. The spiritual implications are obvious!

God gives us abilities and possessions. He expects us to use them. in the affluent West we hang on to them for our own pleasure, caring little for what the master thinks or for the needs of others. For this we are being judged. The lack of action indicates a wrong perception of the Master, and a lack of relationship with the Master. the result s inactivity and judgement. May we be forgiven.

D. Application:

1. God gives by grace and mercy. We must understand that.

2. He gives to bless and expects us to multiply His blessings.

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:31-33

A. Find Out:

1. How will Jesus come? v.31a

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him

2. What will he do afterwards? v.31b

he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

3. Who will be gathered before him? v.32a

All the nations will be gathered before him,

4. What will he then do? v.32b

he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

5. Who will he put where? v.33

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

B. Think:

1. How does Jesus describe his coming here?

2. What function does he then describe here?

3. What is made clear in respect of the human race?

C. Comment:

Yet again we must emphasise that Jesus is still speaking about his return. We note first in these few information packed verses that he will come “in his glory”. Previously we've seen that when he comes everyone will see him (24:27,30). In this passage he indicates that he will not come in the quiet humble way that he came before, but that he will come in great splendour with all his angels in attendance. This time there will be absolutely no mistaking who he is!

Second we note his function when he comes. Previously it was to convey the good news of the love of God and the coming of the kingdom of God on earth. This time it will be to judge. Within this we see in these verses that he will sit upon a throne, as a ruler! In this place of supreme authority, he will call every human being to stand before him. He comes therefore, as a ruler who is also judge.

In the following verses we'll see tomorrow what he says to the two groups before him but for now let's simply observe the important fact that there is going to be a dividing out, there is going to be a separating. Jesus who sees all things and knows all men, will separate out good from bad, righteous from unrighteous, godly from ungodly. These verses totally shatter the argument of those who would say that God would accept all men. He won't! He will judge and separate!

D. Application:

1. When Jesus comes again, you'll know it! Prepare to worship!

2. When Jesus comes it will be to judge. Ensure you're ready!

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:34-40

A. Find Out:

1. What will the King say to whom? v.34

"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

2. What 6 things will they have done? v.35,36

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.'

3. What will they reply to the King? v.37-39

"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 invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

4. What will be the King's answer? v.40

"The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

B. Think:

1. What will the righteous have been doing?

2. What is the surprising thing about what they do?

3. What will be their reward?

C. Comment:

Jesus now moves on to speak about the two groups of people; first of all the “sheep” on his right, those who are obviously the righteous. Let's observe first, what they have done, what it is that marks them out. Jesus says that, very simply, they have ministered to him. That is what has blessed him. They will be surprised at this for they will not have been aware that they are doing that, so he explains.

Every time they ministered to a person in need, it was as if they were doing it to Jesus. Jesus identifies with the needy, for he has come to restore people who are suffering as a result of sin in the world. Therefore when we minister to the needy we minister to Jesus. Who were the needy? Those who hungered, those who were thirsty, those who were lonely, those who were poor and needed clothes, those who were sick, those who were in prison. Those, in other words, who are living lives less than the quality God wanted when He made the world, who are simply described as “the needy”.

The righteous are therefore, people who have responded to Jesus, who have a relationship with him and who therefore respond to the prompting of his Holy Spirit within them to go and touch the lives of those less well off, with his love. James said that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:14 -17). Here Jesus illustrates a “faith that works”, a faith that blesses the world and in turn will be blessed (rewarded).

D. Application:

1. Our faith is to have a practical outworking.

2. Our faith is to ensure that others are blessed in real ways.

Chapter: Matthew 25

Passage: Matthew 25:41-46

A. Find Out:

1. What is the end for those on the left? v.41

"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.

2. What 6 things had they not done? v.42,43

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 invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

3. What will be their question? v.44

"They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

4. What will be Jesus' answer? v.45

"He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

5. So who will go where? v.46

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

B. Think:

1. How would you summarise the guilt of the unrighteous?

2. What is their end?

C. Comment:

Now comes the second half of what will happen after Jesus returns. We saw (v.32,33) that he will gather every human being and divide them into two groups. One group he'll put on his right (and we saw yesterday that they are the righteous and will be rewarded for responding to him in the way they lived) and the other group he'll put on his left. It is the left group he now speaks about.

He first of all describes them as being “cursed” and says he wants to know nothing about them. Their end is to be cast into an eternal fire (v.41) which is described as “eternal punishment” (v.46) which seems to deny any possibility of a quick destruction.

So what is the cause of this awful punishment. Put in its simplest form it is for rejecting Jesus in practical works. They have not acted as Christ to the needy world. Does this mean that salvation is by good works? No, but it does mean that good works will follow a genuine repentance and a genuine being born again.

Where there is a genuine relationship with Jesus it WILL result in a care and compassion for other people. Does this mean that we should be going out constantly looking for the needy? Not necessarily. The crucial issue is do we have a living relationship with Jesus whereby he can speak to us, lead and guide us and send us out on his works? These people rejected Jesus and so did nothing. Rejection of Jesus is the key point.

D. Application:

1. Do we have a living relationship with Jesus where he guides us?

2. Is he able to guide us to those about us in need?

RECAP: "Final Parables" - Matthew 25

SUMMARY :

In this first group of 7 studies we have seen Jesus speaking of :

- the Parable of the Ten Virgin

  - about being prepared for when he comes

- the Parable of the Talents

  - about using what God has given until he comes

- The Final Judgement

  - when people will be seen as sheep or goats

  - sheep will be those who responded to him on

    earth

  - goats will be those who ignored him.

COMMENT :

These stories are Jesus' last teaching out in the open with his disciples on the Mount of Olives . They are a continuation of Jesus' answer to the disciples about what will happen at the end (24:3).

Although quite long, the lessons are very simple: be ready when I return again, ensure you are doing my Father's will and using the gifts that my Father gives you, for there will come an end time accounting and those who do not do this will miss out!!!!

LESSONS?

1. We need to keep alert watching for Jesus' second coming.

2. We need to ensure we are constantly filled with the Spirit.

3. We need to ensure we are using the gifts that God gives us.

4. This will be expressed in simple daily expressions of goodness.

PRAY :

Thank the Lord that He is in control, even in the face of impending Crisis. Thank Him that He has given you His word and His Spirit, sufficient for the day. Ask Him to help you remain faithful in the face of others' unfaithfulness, so that you will always be doing His will, even until the time you meet Him face to face.

PART 2 : "Plots & Passover Meal"

In this next Part we will see the increase in the plotting against Jesus, Jesus being anointed at Bethany, Judas agreeing to betray Jesus, and the Last Supper. In the midst of the awful rejection of Jesus that is going on, he simply prepares his disciples for the future.