Jump Start # 493

Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’”

  Our passage for today comes from the parable of the talents. Several  textual things need to be identified before we close in on our verse today.

 First, Matthew 25 is about the judgment that takes place when Christ comes. There are three parables illustrating different facets of the coming judgment. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (1-13) telling us to be ready. The parable of the talents (15-30) illustrating that we will be accountable to God. The parable of the goats and sheep (31-46) illustrating that we will be judged by our nature and conduct. In the first two parables, Jesus leaves and He returns. He leaves as a groom and returns when the wedding is ready. He leaves as a master and returns to see what was done.

Second, a talent isn’t ability but a unit of weight and in this parable a form of money. Each servant was given so much money based upon their abilities. The money was to be used to bring in more money for the master. This was a business action.

  Third, the judgment was a final decision. The five foolish virgins who ran out of oil, knocked and knocked on the door but they were not allowed entrance. The one talent man was cast out. There are no appeals. There is no one higher than God. He is a righteous judge. His word is final. That’s it.

  Now to our verse for today. The master spoke this to the man who was given five talents. He doubled them into ten talents. The master was pleased.  The compliments flow freely from the master. He says, “well done.” He calls him, “good and faithful.” He puts him in charge of greater things. Then he invites him to celebrate with the master, “enter into the joy of the master.” The slave did what he was supposed to. It is fascinating to see all this joy and happiness for one who did what he was supposed to.

  These verses are interesting. The master represents Jesus. The slave represents us. The master who did everything perfectly, every time, calls us, “good and faithful.” Amazing.

  These verses show us the joy of God when we do what He wants. Other examples would be the angels rejoicing when a sinner repents, as found in Luke 15.

  God is not afraid of swelling our heads. He is not concerned that we’ll think more of our self than we should. He saw something noteworthy and He praised it. I like that. God is so generous. We could learn from God.

  Some are very stingy with compliments. Quick on the complaints. Fast to criticize but never to compliment. I’ve even heard one guy say, “I don’t want to give him a big head.” That didn’t seem to bother God. The Lord was pleased with a job well done and He made a big thing about it! This “wowed” God, and when that happens, the divine celebrations always take place.

  And generous…the compliments alone were enough. God seems to always go beyond when it comes to blessings. I think God loves to give. He rewards goodness, faithfulness and obedience. Another lesson we do well to learn. We tend to nickel and dime and be so tight with things that the generous spirit has drifted away from us. 

  When the master made a big deal over the faithful servant you know that just lifted his spirits and he could work even harder. Their relationship grew closer and the heart of the slave was even more committed to pleasing his master. Now false compliments, and artificial flattery is not what took place here. Some compliment only to get a compliment back. Some have selfish motives in what they do. Not here.

  I love to see brethren hugging, elders and preachers smiling at one another, the warmth of a genuine handshake and the appreciation for jobs well done. Think about this in the home. Compliments can be missing sometimes. We need them in marriage. We need them in parenting. Think about this within the church. We call this encouragement and that is oxygen to our souls. We need it. It’s easy to get beat up and get discouraged. Jobs well done need some praising. Often they need to be praised for all to hear.

  We can’t leave this without the thought that God will make a big deal about you someday. That’s hard to grasp. Me? What have I done? I didn’t build any arks…I didn’t write any epistles…I didn’t shed blood for Jesus…probably not. But if you did what you are supposed to, as this five talent man did, it pleases the Master. Everyday we walk by faith. Everyday we simply do what we can. Kindness here, compliments there, invite a friend to services, teach a class, clean the church building, give someone a ride, sit in the hospital waiting room with a friend, go to worship—just the things we ought to be doing…just like the faithful slave, and look at what God did for him.

  Have you ever had a surprise birthday party thrown in your honor? I hate them. My wife arranged two in the same year for me. The thing I don’t like is that I don’t know what is going on. She did. She was more excited than I was. She knew who was going to be there. I didn’t. She knew what was happening. I didn’t. In a similar way that’s the way Jesus is with us. He’s been to Heaven. He’s preparing a place for us. He’s excited. He knows what it’s like. We are unsure. But it will be wonderful. Everything God does is that way.

  Well done, good and faithful! To you…to me! Amazing! Generous! More than we deserve! That’s God. That’s our God.

Roger

Jump Start # 490 

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” 

  I love the holiday season—the lights, the sounds, and mostly what it does to people. People seem to be nicer around Christmas time. There are secret Santa’s and those random acts of kindness everywhere. Strangers speak and people just seem to be a better moods. Maybe it’s because people actually believe that Santa keeps a naughty and nice list. Whatever the cause, it’s nice to see.

 Our passage has nothing to do with Christmas, but it does with the spirit of Christ. Random acts of kindness are characteristics of God’s people. In our verse, Jesus identifies two interesting thoughts.

  First, doing things for “one of these little ones.” This is not the only time Jesus would use that expression. He seemed more concerned about “the little ones” than He was “the big ones.” I don’t think Jesus is talking about size of people, nor age of people, but age and size of faith. Little ones may well be those new disciples, those young disciples, those tender disciples. They are vulnerable and impressionable. They need attention. They need growth. A dear friend gave me some little trees to plant at my place. They looked like little bitty sticks. I planted them and noticed about a day or two later that those little twigs became the buffet for the deer and rabbits. There’s not much left of those little things now. In the spiritual way, Jesus was concerned about the young disciple.

  Second, a cup of cold water. A cup of cold water isn’t much. It sure doesn’t cost much. It’s easier and cheaper than a cup of coffee or a can of Coke. Just about anyone can give a cup of cold water. Cold water is so refreshing when a person is really thirsty. I have wondered how folks in Jesus’ day got cold water. It had to come from a well. I have tasted well water on a hot summer day. It was so cold and so good.

  Acts of kindness often don’t seem like much from a giver’s standpoint, but they are so appreciated from those who are on the receiving end. Cups of cold water come in many sizes and shapes. I’ve seen the kind words and heart felt hugs given at church after someone said that they needed some help. I’ve seem the tears in the eyes of several as words of comfort were shared to a person whose family member was near death. I’ve seen folks have folded dollar bills in their hands as they shook the hands of someone else. They gave the gift of money to someone who needed it.

  The givers of cold water are a special breed of people. They think nothing of sitting in hospitals, writing encouraging notes, helping someone move, taking someone out to lunch and thousands of other things they do. They move so swiftly and effortlessly. They help this disciple today, that family tomorrow, someone else next week. Always looking for what they can do. Their timing is perfect. Often when a person is about to their limit, in sweeps one of these givers with their cold water and they save the day. These givers of cold water never keep track of what they have done, nor do they tell others, that would ruin the spirit of what they do. They just love to help others. Their biggest regret is that they can’t do more. They would if they could. Some of these givers don’t have much themselves but they just like helping others.

  And Jesus says they shall not lose their reward. Reward? For a simple cup of cold water? Yes. It’s not the cold water, it’s the act of kindness, love and generosity. It’s making the effort. It’s going out of their way. It’s doing what makes a difference in someone’s life.

  These givers of cold water do not have to be told, they know. They see. It’s the way God has equipped them. Their ears listen to the needs of others. They hear things that most don’t. They notice what most overlook.

  Jesus was like that. Remember the bent over woman in the synagogue? She was that way for a long time. Most likely she took her place in the back of the assembly. Most likely she worshipped on a regular basis. Most didn’t seem to pay much attention to her, maybe even whispered about how slow she was, or how she was blocking the way. Jesus saw something different. He called her to the front where he was. All would see her. She was healed. She was  called by Jesus a “daughter of Abraham.” He gave her a cup of cold water.

  Those who have received the cold water need to be thankful and they generally are for the kind acts of love and devotion.

  The passage reminds us that Heaven also notices. Those kind acts tend to make Heaven tip it’s hat and wink it’s eye. It’s as if the Lord is saying, “Well done!”

  We see acts of kindness in December as Christmas nears. How about in July or January? By then, most have returned to their old selves, which tends to be indifference and selfish. Not the disciples of Jesus. They are busy going to the well for another cup of cold water. Someone out there is thirsty, and they have just the thing they need.

  Are you seeing anyone thirsty? Grab your cup, and head to the well…they need you.

Roger