Jump Start # 454

Matthew 25:24-25 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’”

  Our passage today comes from the parable of the talents. In the larger context, Jesus gave three illustrations of the coming judgment—parable of the wise and foolish virgins; parable of the talents; and parable of the shepherd separating the sheep and the goats. Each of these reveals a unique aspect of the coming Jesus and what judgment will be like.

  The parable of the talents is about what was entrusted to the slaves. ‘Talent’ is not ability but a form of money. They were each given so much by the master, according to what they could handle. The master went away. After a long time, he returned and wanted to see what they did with his money. It never did belong to them.

  Great story—great lessons learned. Our verse today focuses upon the one talent man. He received just one coin. His fellow servants received more. They did more. He did nothing. He didn’t lose it, which is good, but he didn’t increase it by any amount. It stayed the same.

  Our focus is upon how this servant viewed the master. He said two things of interest: First, “I knew you to be a hard man….” Second, “I was afraid.” The master represents Jesus. Here is an impression some have of Jesus—hard. They are afraid of Jesus.

  The other two servants don’t seem to have that impression of the master. The Bible doesn’t give us that impression of Jesus. Walking through the gospels, you learn that Jesus is kind, compassionate, caring. The hurting come to Him. Those with questions seek Him out. The outcasts, the troubled, they flock to Jesus. A “hard man” would run people the other way. A hard man would be hard to approach. Compassion and kindness are not found in the heart of someone who is hard.

  This servant did not know God. His impression was off base. Maybe he heard that from someone else, maybe he blamed God for things God didn’t do.

  Our passage also says that the servant was afraid. Afraid of the master? Afraid that he’d get in trouble? Afraid of losing the one coin he was given? Fear led him to bury what he had in the ground. He didn’t take any risks. He didn’t try. Fear, kept him from doing anything.

  His view of God determined how he acted towards God. His actions fit a man who is both afraid and views his master as being a hard man. The wrong view of the master, led to the wrong behavior and actions. This leads us to consider our view of God. Our view of God affects our behavior towards Him.

• If I, too, view God has hard, then my journey will be long, and filled with remorse and guilt. I can never do enough, pray enough, or be good enough. It will be hard to see myself in Heaven with these burdens. I will view my walk with Christ as a failure. I will not see myself as a good enough Christian.

I see and hear this in Christians. They want to go to Heaven, but are pitiful. Misery, gloom and fear seem to be their constant companions. They are afraid to do anything, lest they be wrong. They fear. They would never want to do something that was a bit different because they are afraid of what others might think. Fear dominates them.

• Others, view God as a carefree friend, who just wants you to be happy. These folks are not too concerned with what the Bible says, just fill the heart with good emotions. Fun, exciting, and thrilling are what these people are interested in. They push the boundaries and often cross the borders of what God’s word says. They don’t seem too concerned. Just love, love, love –that’s all that matters.

These folks have a good time, if things are done their way. They are a mess if the traditional forms of worship are practiced. New songs, new ideas, new ways are what they want. Anything new…don’t give me that ole’ time religion—they want the New religion. The problem here is that they often march past what God’s blueprint authorizes. They offend others who aren’t into new nor marching the direction they are going.

• The best view of God is the one He gives us. Yes, He is compassionate, loving and caring. He has a way and a will—it only will work His way. He wants you, thinks of you, and loves you and above all, never gives up on you. He’ll forgive you thousands of times, if you allow Him. He will fill you up and give you a purpose like none other. He wants you to be filled with His word. He wants you to walk in His ways. He doesn’t want you to be afraid of Him nor to not understand Him. God is good.

  I came up with a new phrase last night. I’m not sure where it came from, I probably just ‘thunked’ it up myself. When someone asks, ‘How are you doing,’ my new response is, “We’re one day closer to Heaven!” That makes all problems seem small. One day closer to Heaven…that’s it!

  Don’t be afraid…especially of God. Don’t listen to what others say about Him…look for yourself in the Bible. Don’t be like the one talent man. What a pitiful and miserable way to live.  Today, you’re one day closer to Heaven!

Roger