Jesus Warned About Not Acting (Matthew 25)
The parables in Matthew 25 called for God’s people to lead lives ready for the Great Master’s return. These passages dwelled specifically on the importance of being moved to action rather than halted by complacency or fear. This infamous parable demonstrated the call to be doers of the Word rather than mere hearers through the different types of workers called to the same purpose of Christ’s kingdom.
Who did the master and his servants represent in this passage? What were the talents that Jesus discussed? The master of the estate represented Christ, and the servants were God’s people. Just as the master entrusted his possessions to the servants for profitable use, so, too, did the Lord entrust us to steward the gifts He delegated. This parable emphasized the role of human responsibility under the calling of those in Christ, as well as the eternal joy promised to those who walk faithfully in His ways. His call is to forsake earthly security for what is infinitely greater: a life lived in step and in service to the Great Master.
Each servant was faced with the choice of whether or not he would honor his master with faithful service. The one who received five talents produced five more for his master, while the servant given two likewise earned back the same. In the end, both received affirmations for the faithfulness they actively employed amid his absence.
However, the servant who received only one talent did not act as instructed; instead, he was motivated by fear, choosing to hide his talent in the ground. As a result, he received rebuke rather than praise. The last servant failed to hold a correct view of his lord, declaring him to be a harsh man who reaped what he did not deserve. From this incorrect perspective came the failure to act faithfully on his master’s behalf. Consider how you can lead your kids closer to a right view of the Lord in His goodness.
Our goal in this session is to strengthen our kids’ perception of God so that they, too, may enter faithfully and joyfully into His service, being moved to eager action and stewarding their lives to the worthiest Master and Lord.
Christ Connection: Every believer, as a servant of Christ, has the task of serving God with his or her life. We eagerly wait for the day we can share in the joy of our Master. Heaven is the joy of knowing, worshiping, and enjoying Jesus forever.
Key Passages: We are memorizing Isaiah 53:1-12 during this quarter. Primary children will be memorizing Psalm 23.