WE ARE FARMER-SERVANTS SOWING SEEDS OF GOD’S LOVE

07-11-10

THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS

(Mat 25:14,15)  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man [Jesus Christ] travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods [What are the “goods” of Jesus Christ?] [the seeds of love; the Gospel of love]. And unto one [servant] he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability [“to each according to his own ability” NLJV]; and straightway took his journey.

1.      talent = Gk: (to bear); a balance (as supporting weights), i.e. (by impl.) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent":--talent.

2.      talent = Dictionary: 1. a special natural ability or aptitude: a talent for drawing. 2. a capacity for achievement or success; natural ability: young men of talent. 3. persons of ability. 4. a power of mind or body considered as committed to one for use and improvement (from the parable in Mat 25:14-30). 5. an ancient unit of weight , varying with time and place.

(Mat 25:16-18)  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded [Gk: to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.): work] with the same, and made them [increased them] other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two [these each did their best according to their several ability]. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money [Gk: silver] [the metal that symbolizes redemption] [What did this one do?].

1.      (Luke 19:12-14)  He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds [Gk: a certain weight], and said unto them, Occupy [Gk: to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade] till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

(Mat 25:19-21)  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord [Gk: kurios, koo'-ree-os; supreme in authority: God], thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord [Gk: kurios] said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(Mat 25:22,23)  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord [Gk: kurios], thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT

(Mat 25:24-27)  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord [Gk: kurios], I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed [Gk: `scattered][seed]: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord [Gk: kurios] answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers [Gk: bankers], and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury [Gk: interest].

(Mat 25:28-30)  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath [obedience] shall be given [more responsibility], and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not [obedience] shall be taken away even that [responsibility] which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable [Gk: useless, i.e. (euphem.) unmeritorious] servant [versus “good and faithful servant”] into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

1.      Commentary: the “unprofitable servant” manifested no good actions for the kingdom because he had no faith, he had no heartfelt belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God; he was therefore judged neither “good” nor “faithful” but “unprofitable” and cast into outer darkness. 

(Luke 17:5,6)  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you [i.e., your faith should (would) obey you and cause that action to be done].

(Luke 17:7,8)  But which of you, having a servant [faith] plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

1.      Commentary: your faith (belief) serves you, it gives you power, it does things for you.

(Luke 17:9,10)  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow [Gk: think] not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

1.      (Luke 17:9,10 NIV)  Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, [you] should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"

2.      (Luke 17:10 The Living Bible) Just so, if you merely obey me, you should not consider yourselves worthy of praise. For you have simply done your duty!

3.      Commentary: Does love only do its duty?

THE PRAISEWORTHY SERVANT

(Luke 17:11-14)  And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers [biblical symbol of sin and corruption, i.e., unsaved men], which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went [i.e., as they obeyed], they were cleansed.

(Luke 17:15-19)  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks [i.e., did over and above what he was commanded]: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

1.      Commentary: All ten of these lepers were healed (saved) through the action of “as they went.” Had they disobeyed and not gone, they would not have been “cleansed.” They were saved through the works of their obedience. 

a.       (James 2:20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

b.      (James 2:26)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

2.      (John 14:15)  If ye love me, keep [obey] my commandments.

3.      Commentary: Which of these ten servants expressed the most love? What does God want from you? Does God want for you only to do your duty? How does one manifest his or her love for God and Jesus Christ? If you love Him, you will gladly do your duty, and more. Doing your duty is the love manifestation that God accepts, “and more” is the love manifestation that God praises.

Amen