Matthew 25 - Is the Final Exam Pass Fail?

28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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In chapter Matthew 25, after Jesus describes the conditions of His return in Matthew 24, he teaches on how people will be judged when he returns.  Although each of the three parables in chapter 25 are different, they have some commonalities.  The theme is all of them is being prepared, with dire consequences if they aren't.

First, in the parable of the ten wedding bridesmaids, five have prepared by having extra oil for their lamps and five have not.  When the bridegroom came back, those who had enough oil in their lamps went out to meet him, and went with him to the wedding feast.  The others arrived late and were locked out and were not let in despite their pleading. 


In the parable of the talents, a man gave his servants three amounts to put to work while he was gone.  To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and the third just one bag. The first two men double their investment, but the final man hid his one bag in fear and gained nothing.  So what happened to the one who held on to his one gold bag?  

It was given to the one who had ten. Wow, that seems unfair.  Apparently not to God.  Though each person was given a different amount, according to their abilities, they were all judged on only what they were given. No more no less.    

Finally, the parable of the sheep and goats has a different twist to it. When the Son of Man returns it will be like a shepherd who returns from a journey. The shepherd separated the sheep from the goats.  Then he explains who the sheep are and who the goats are.  The sheep were those who fed him when he was hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and in prison.  The goats did nothing The disciples were confused and asked Jesus when he had appeared to him in this condition?  Jesus replied, "Whatever you did to the least of these you did unto me."  

What do all these stories have in common?  In every parable those who were prepared received their master's reward, and those who weren't were severely judged.  In one of the stories, those who weren't prepared were left "weeping and gnashing their teeth".  These words imply a deep sense of regret and disappointment.  I'm sure they wished they could have had a second chance to be prepared.    

How do we interpret these challenging parables? I think there is a danger of trying to literally interpret each of these parables.  Jesus is preparing the disciples for his eventual death, resurrection and second coming. He has taught them how them how to treat the least of these by the way he treated the tax collectors, the poor and the prostitutes.  He has given each of them spiritual gifts to use and invest in His kingdom.  And he has given them the Holy Spirit to illuminate their path and wait for his return.  

Jesus has given you everything you need to be ready for his return. The only question is are you prepared?  Fortunately if you are not there is still time to get ready.  Why wait?