WORDS about theWORD
“ And cast that wicked servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:30) In the last few days before he died on a cross, Jesus told his disciples a storyaboutarichbusinessman who went on a long trip and trusted three of his servants to take care of his property while he was away.
Hedidn’ttellthemwhat to do with his money; he allowed them to use their own imagination and decide for themselves. He onlyaskedthemtodowhat they were capable of doing. He gave to each according to his ability.
After he left, the first two servants immediately got to work investing their master’s money, so that when he returned they had doubled what he left them. Those servants heard words of praise from their master, “well done, good and faithful servant,” and they were invited into his joy.
But the third servant hadn’t invested his master’s money. Instead, he had taken a shovel and buried it in the ground. Whenhismasterreturned, he dug it up and gave it back. In all the long time his master was away, he accomplishedexactlynothing. He didn’t hear any praise,onlycondemnation. He wasn’t invited into his master’s joy, but forced into suffering.
Of course, we know this story is really about Jesus and his return in glory on thelastday.Thisworldand everything in it belongs to God. He gave you life in your mother’s womb, and he trusts you with everything and every moment you have on this earth.
The first two servants in the story represent Christian people who, because they have repented of their sins and know the mercy of God, have been set free to use their abilities to live productiveandmeaningful lives here on earth, and then enter into eternal joy in heaven. It truly can’t get any better than that. They were faithful with what theyhad,becausetheyhad faith in the master.
The third servant represents the tragedy of a person who has wasted his time on earth, only to face eternal suffering when Jesus returns in glory. He is called “wicked” (Matthew 25:30) because he has not repented of his sins. He is called “worthless” (Matthew 25:30)becausehehas squandered the precious gift of life away on nothing. It can’t get any worse than that. He was faithless with what he had, because he had no faith in the master.
Dear friends, it is not too late. While there is still breath in your body, repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to forgive every wasted moment of your life. He rose from death so that you could begin living a new life today.
Our God is merciful and kind, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Don’t be afraid to live the life you were made for. Use the time, ability, and earthly treasures God has trusted to your care for his eternal purpose. And then wait to hear his praise and enter into his eternal joy when Jesus returns. Life can’t get any better than that!
