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Judging Jesus
Judging Jesus
Have I missed the essential point, among many, of the parable of the talents? Before going on, let’s consider the stories before and after the talents to see our missing lesson.
In the 10 virgins parable, the stated purpose of Jesus is,
““Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.” (CSB’17 Matthew 25:13)
Do you see that it is not soley about Jesus’s return, but each virgin’s preparation for the return? Not knowing the exact time the brideroom comes is central to all ten because he comes at the same time for all. This is a parable about judgment and our personal perspective in handling the uncertainty of WHEN Jesus returns to judge.
The parable following the talents is the sheep and goats. It too is about judgment, but the focus is on individual’s reactions towards others that determine one’s destiny,. When seeing others, do we see Jesus? This is a parable of judgment and our personal perspective concerning WHERE we see Jesus.
If I am right about what is often missed in the parable of the talents, this is a lesson I need. Notice what the condemned man said when confronted by his master,
““The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’” (CSB’17 Matthew 25:24-25)
This is followed by,
““His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned.” (CSB’17 Matthew 25:26-27)
I have a problem with the master’s reply if he represents Jesus (or the Father). Is Jesus unfairly harsh and unjust so as to dishonestly reap where he hasn’t sown? Does Jesus take what’s not His? No. Everything before this statement is good about the master:
1. The master divides his own wealth, not wealth from others, among the three servants. He is honest.
2. The master entrusts vast amounts of his wealth to his “doulos” or slaves. One talent was 20 years worth of wages. Five talents is more than a lifetime of money. He is trusting.
3. The master shares even more with those who succeeded. He is generous.
So what does Jesus mean when admitting to being harsh and basically a thief who takes what is not his? To help us unravel this conundrum, notice this other passage that also deals with judging,
“For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.” (CSB Matthew 7:2)
While it is true people in general reactively will judge us according to how we judge them, I don’t think we can limit this to people. If I am correct, the essential point of this statement and the parable is HOW we view – that is, judge – Jesus determines:
1. HOW we respond to divinely given challenges, responsibilities, and gifts. And
2. HOW Jesus will judge us.
If fear of being wrong, or failing, is our main motivation, we will become lazy through paralyzing fear. If we view God as having confidence in us, generously sharing Himself with us, we will succeed. HOW we view God determines HOW we respond to God, and HOW God responds to us.
Think about it, those who succeeded had the same master as the one who failed. The difference appears to be their view of their master. If the servants are “good and faithful”, it is a reflection of their good and faithful master.
Here’s why I need this parable. Personally, I am filled with self-doubt and am motivated mainly by guilt. My negative view of myself can reactivately and unconsciously turn into me accusing God of being harsh and unfair when He presents me with an opportunity to grow in His kingdom. “Who am I that God uses me?” “I can’t succeed because this job is too big while I’m too small!” “I’m not as good as what others think of me.”
As I get ready to move, pray for me that I may not be like the one talent man in unfairly judging my Lord. Jesus is honest, trusting, and generous. Jesus wants us all to succeed in His kingdom. Part of success is determined by my own mindset. This is a parable of HOW we judge Jesus is HOW Jesus will judge us.
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