Download introduction to matthew`s gospel

1
Vocabulary Words
• Emmanuel (Immanuel) = “God with us”
• Gehenna = Jewish term for hell
• Countercultural = values, thinking and
actions not normally accepted by
society as a whole
• Anti-Semitism = hostility toward or
discrimination against Jews as a
religious, ethnic or racial group (antiSemitic)
• Beelzebul (Hebrew) = Devil
• Ekklesia = church
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BACKGROUND ON MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
Date written
Author
Audience
Why was Matthew’s Gospel
written?
Sources used
Matthew’s Image of Jesus
3
THEMES OF MATTHEW’S GOSPEL
Judgment
Jesus is Emmanuel
Discipleship
Church
Right Instruction
4
GENEALOGY OF JESUS 1:1-17
 Traces ancestry to David & Abraham
 Show Jesus as Messiah
 Presents Jesus as Israel’s promised savior
 The Four Women
 Tamar – Rahab – Ruth – Bathsheba
 All foreigners or gentiles
 Shows Gospel will be preached to all people (see 28:19)
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The Infancy Narrative
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The Temptation of Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11
10
The Setting
• Then Jesus was led up
by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted
by the devil. 2He fasted
forty days and forty
nights, and afterwards he
was famished.
•
•
40= Israel 40 years wandering in the
desert
Setting in desert – use of number 40
= contrast between ancient Israel
and Jesus
– Israel escapes Egypt
– wanders in desert 40
years and is tested
– Israel fails
– Jesus triumphs where
Israel failed
11
The First Temptation
• 3The tempter came
and said to him, ‘If
you are the Son of
God, command these
stones to become
loaves of bread.’ 4But
he answered, ‘It is
written, “One does not
live by bread alone,
but by every word that
comes from the
mouth of God.”’
The First Test:
Change stones into bread
Response:
Deuteronomy 8:3
12
The Second Temptation
• 5Then the devil took him
to the holy city and
placed him on the
pinnacle of the temple,
6saying to him, ‘If you are
the Son of God, throw
yourself down; for it is
written, “He will command
his angels concerning
you,” and “On their hands
they will bear you up, so
that you will not dash
your foot against a
stone.”’ 7Jesus said to
him, ‘Again it is written,
“Do not put the Lord your
God to the test.”’
•
The Second Test:
Throw yourself off the temple
Response:
Deuteronomy 6:16
13
The Third Temptation
• 8Again, the devil took him
to a very high mountain
and showed him all the
kingdoms of the world
and their splendor; 9and
he said to him, ‘All these I
will give you, if you will
fall down and worship
me.’ 10Jesus said to him,
‘Away with you, Satan! for
it is written, “Worship the
Lord your God, and serve
only him.”’
•
The Third Test:
Promise of the kingdoms of the
world to Jesus if he worships the
devil (the temptation to secular
messiahship)
Response:
Deuteronomy 6:13
14
Power
• All three temptations have to do with
power
– 1st – use miraculous power to provide for
ordinary needs
– 2nd – use miraculous power to produce a sign
so spectacular that it would compel belief
– 3rd – use political power to accomplish the
ends of the Messianic mission
15
What kind of Son of God is Jesus?

does not seek to satisfy his own material needs

does not make a miraculous display of his status and power

does not enter into partnership with the devil for the sake of political
authority

He is totally obedient to the will of his Father
Example for Christians today –
don’t pay too much attention to material goods
don’t seek influence and wealth without regard for justice and morality
16
Discourse One
The Sermon on the Mount
Summarizes new law of Gospel
Law of love – grace – freedom
Moses on Sinai
Jesus on a mountain
Jesus’ ethical teachings
Addressed to xtns
Those who have accepted the Gospel
Major theme of the sermon
Interior conversion….leads to discipleship in practice
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The
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Vocabulary
• Beatitude – latin = happiness
declaration that someone is happy or is in a
situation that will lead to happiness
• Righteousness – refers to God’s character:
fairness
mercy
generosity
19
• When Jesus saw the
crowds, he went up
the mountain; and
after he sat down,
his disciples came to
him. 2Then he began
to speak, and taught
them, saying:
Mountain = place for
revelations of/from God
20
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
• Blessed are the poor
in spirit, for the
kingdom of God is
theirs
21
Blessed are those who Mourn
• ‘Blessed are those
who mourn, for they
will be comforted.
22
Blessed are the Meek
• ‘Blessed are the
meek, for they will
inherit the earth.
23
Blessed are those who Hunger
and Thirst for Righteousness
• 6‘Blessed are those
who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for
they will be filled.
24
Blessed are the Merciful
• 7‘Blessed are the
merciful, for they will
receive mercy.
Let us aid our neighbors as
generously as we want God to
aid us (Augustine)
25
Blessed are the Pure in Heart
• 8‘Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they
will see God.
26
Blessed are the Peacemakers
• 9‘Blessed are the
peacemakers, for
they will be called
children of God.
27
Blessed are those who are
Persecuted
• 10‘Blessed are those
who are persecuted
for righteousness’
sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
11‘Blessed are you
when people revile
you and persecute you
and utter all kinds of
evil against you falsely
on my account.
28
Rejoice
• 12Rejoice and be
glad, for your reward
is great in heaven, for
in the same way they
persecuted the
prophets who were
before you.
29
You are the Salt of the Earth
• 13 ‘You are the salt
of the earth; but if
salt has lost its
taste, how can its
saltiness be
restored? It is no
longer good for
anything, but is
thrown out and
trampled under
• What is the most common use
foot..
of salt?
30
You are the Light of the World
• 14‘You are the light of the
world. A city built on a hill
cannot be hid. 15No one
after lighting a lamp puts
it under the bushel
basket, but on the
lampstand, and it gives
light to all in the house.
16In the same way, let
your light shine before
others, so that they may
see your good works and
give glory to your Father
in heaven
31
The Law and the Prophets
•
17 ‘Do not think that I have come
to abolish the law or the prophets;
I have come not to abolish but to
fulfill. 18For truly I tell you, until
heaven and earth pass away, not
one letter, not one stroke of a
letter, will pass from the law until
all is accomplished. 19Therefore,
whoever breaks one of the least of
these commandments, and
teaches others to do the same,
will be called least in the kingdom
of heaven; but whoever does them
and teaches them will be called
great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I tell you, unless your
righteousness exceeds that of the
scribes and Pharisees, you will
never enter the kingdom of
heaven.
•
Jesus wants to show us how to
carry out God’s commands in a
way that fulfills their purpose.
32
The Second Part of the Sermon
5:21-48
• Contrast Between
– the scribes’ ideal of holiness based on literal reading
of scripture
And…
– Jesus’ more radical and demanding teaching
– “you have heard” = Old Testament
– “But I say to you” = Jesus fulfills the law
33
Concerning Anger
• 21 ‘You have heard that it was
said to those of ancient times,
“You shall not murder”; and
“whoever murders shall be
liable to judgment.” 22But I say
to you that if you are angry
with a brother or sister, you will
be liable to judgment; and if
you insult a brother or sister,
you will be liable to the council;
and if you say, “You fool,” you
will be liable to the hell of fire.
Old Law – New Law
Anger should be taken as
seriously as murder
34
Concerning Adultery
27 ‘You have heard that it was said,
“You shall not commit adultery.”
28But I say to you that everyone
who looks at a woman with lust has
already committed adultery with
her in his heart.
29If your right eye causes you to sin,
tear it out and throw it away; it is
better for you to lose one of your
members than for your whole body
to be thrown into hell. 30And if your
right hand causes you to sin, cut it
off and throw it away; it is better for
you to lose one of your members
than for your whole body to go into
hell.
•The salvation of
the whole person
is of more value
than the
preservation of
any one part that
may lead to sin
35
Concerning Retaliation
• 38 ‘You have heard that it was
said, “An eye for an eye and a
tooth for a tooth.” 39But I say
to you, Do not resist an
evildoer. But if anyone strikes
you on the right cheek, turn the
other also; 40and if anyone
wants to sue you and take your
coat, give your cloak as well;
41and if anyone forces you to
go one mile, go also the
second mile. 42Give to
everyone who begs from you,
and do not refuse anyone who
wants to borrow from you.
• “Eye for an eye” – The
law of retaliation (OT)
• Jesus asks his
disciples to forgo
retaliation
36
Love for Enemies
• 43 ‘You have heard that it was
said, “You shall love your
neighbor and hate your
enemy.” 44But I say to you,
Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you,
45so that you may be children
of your Father in heaven; for
he makes his sun rise on the
evil and on the good, and
sends rain on the righteous
and on the unrighteous. 46For
if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have? Do
not even the tax collectors do
the same? 47And if you greet
only your brothers and sisters,
what more are you doing than
others? Do not even the
Gentiles do the same? 48Be
perfect, therefore, as your
heavenly Father is perfect.
• Christ’s disciples are to love as
God loves
• C.S. Lewis – The Four Loves
37
Almsgiving, Prayer, Fasting
• Almsgiving:
• Pattern:
– Any material favor done to
assist the needy, and
prompted by charity, is
almsgiving. (Catholic Encyclopedia)
• Prayer:
– “The raising of one’s mind and
heart to God or the requesting
of good things from God.” (St.
John Damascene)
• Description of behavior to be
avoided
• Instruction on the proper
attitude
• Promise of a reward from God
• Religious acts should be done
to honor God
(Catechism, 2559)
• Fasting:
− As penance
− As preparation for God’s
arrival
− Emptying of Self
38
Almsgiving
• 1Beware of practicing your
piety before others in order to
be seen by them; for then you
have no reward from your
Father in heaven. 2‘So
whenever you give alms, do
not sound a trumpet before
you, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets,
so that they may be praised by
others. Truly I tell you, they
have received their reward.
3But when you give alms, do
not let your left hand know
what your right hand is doing,
4so that your alms may be
done in secret; and your
Father who sees in secret will
reward you.
• What does this mean?
• God will reward acts of charity
done without fanfare
39
Prayer
5 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be
like the hypocrites; for they love to
stand and pray in the synagogues
and at the street corners, so that
they may be seen by others. Truly
I tell you, they have received their
reward. 6But whenever you pray,
go into your room and shut the
door and pray to your Father who
is in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you.
7‘When you are praying, do not
heap up empty phrases as the
Gentiles do; for they think that
they will be heard because of their
many words. 8Do not be like
them, for your Father knows what
you need before you ask him.
•
What does it mean?
– Don’t make a public spectacle of
yourself while praying (Don’t show
off)
– God will reward genuine prayer
offered in sincerity to Him
40
For Example…The Lord’s Prayer
Pray then in this way: Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be your name.
10Your kingdom come. Your will
be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. 11Give us this day our
daily bread. 12And forgive us our
debts, as we also have forgiven
our debtors. 13And do not bring
us to the time of trial, but rescue
us from the evil one. 14For if you
forgive others their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also
forgive you; 15but if you do not
forgive others, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
One’s willingness to forgive
others is a necessary
condition for God’s
willingness to forgive
•
Three “YOU” petitions
1. Addressed directly to God
Our Father
Hallowed by thy name
2. Pray for the coming of God’s
kingdom
3. Ask for God’s will to be done
•
Three “WE” petitions
 Ask for physical and spiritual well-being
in difficult period before the fullness of
God’s kingdom
1. Ask God provide bread needed
today
2. Ask that forgiveness received from
God leads to forgiveness of others
3. In the time of testing that will
accompany the coming of God’s
kingdom, we may not fall prey to the
Evil One
41
Fasting
16 ‘And whenever you fast, do not
look dismal, like the
hypocrites, for they disfigure
their faces so as to show
others that they are fasting.
Truly I tell you, they have
received their reward. 17But
when you fast, put oil on your
head and wash your face,
18so that your fasting may be
seen not by others but by your
Father who is in secret; and
your Father who sees in secret
will reward you.
• What does it mean?
– Do not make a public display
of your fasting
42
Sermon on the Mount
Part 3
6:19-7:29
• Gives advice
Christian pursuit of
holiness
• Theme is decision for
or against God
43
Concerning Treasures
6:19-21
19 ‘Do not store up for
yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and
rust consume and where
thieves break in and
steal; 20but store up for
yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither
moth nor rust consumes
and where thieves do not
break in and steal. 21For
where your treasure is,
there your heart will be
also.
44
Serving Two Masters
6:24
24‘No one can serve two
masters; for a slave will
either hate the one and
love the other, or be
devoted to the one and
despise the other. You
cannot serve God and
wealth.
45
Discourse Two
Sharing The Faith With Others
Jesus instructs apostles – imitate his ministry
 Cure sick
 Raise dead
 Exorcise demons
Proclaim Gospel:
 To Jews – avoid Gentiles
 In spirit of poverty
Discipleship is privilege & involves the cross
Discipleship involves mission
46
Matthew 10
10:5-15
How to act
10:16-42
What to expect
Vs. 24-25 – Disciples share in Jesus’:
power – lifestyle - suffering
47
Discourse Three
Parables About the Kingdom
7 parables reveal nature of Kingdom of
God
 Parable – short story drawn from ordinary life
that makes a comparison with a religious
message
48
Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat
13:24-30
•
24 He put before them another
parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven may
be compared to someone who sowed
good seed in his field; 25but while
everybody was asleep, an enemy
came and sowed weeds among the
wheat, and then went away. 26So
when the plants came up and bore
grain, then the weeds appeared as
well. 27And the slaves of the
householder came and said to him,
“Master, did you not sow good seed in
your field? Where, then, did these
weeds come from?” 28He answered,
“An enemy has done this.” The slaves
said to him, “Then do you want us to
go and gather them?” 29But he
replied, “No; for in gathering the weeds
you would uproot the wheat along with
them. 30Let both of them grow
together until the harvest; and at
harvest time I will tell the reapers,
Collect the weeds first and bind them
in bundles to be burned, but gather the
wheat into my barn.”
•
What does it mean?
 This is an eschatalogical parable
–
Someone (sower) =
–
Seed =
–
Enemy =
–
Weeds =
•
Darnel – a weed that has a
resemblance to wheat
–
Harvest =
–
Reapers =
 SUMMARY


Church recognizes it has unfaithful in it
and God will tolerate that just as he
does in the world
Judgment will determine final destiny of
righteous and wicked
49
The Parable of the Yeast
13:33
• 33He told them
• Yeast ?
another parable: ‘The
kingdom of heaven is • What does it mean?
like yeast that a
– The growth of the
woman took and
reign of God from
mixed in with three
small beginnings
measures of flour until
all of it was leavened.’
50
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a
Treasure
13:44
• 44 ‘The kingdom of
heaven is like
treasure hidden in a
field, which someone
found and hid; then in
his joy he goes and
sells all that he has
and buys that field.
• What does it mean?
– Shows the value of the
Kingdom
51
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a
Merchant in search of fine Pearls
13:45-46
• 45‘Again, the
kingdom of heaven is
like a merchant in
search of fine pearls;
46on finding one
pearl of great value,
he went and sold all
that he had and
bought it.
• What does it mean?
– Shows the value of the
Kingdom
52
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Net
13:47-50
• 47‘Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a net that was
thrown into the sea and caught
fish of every kind; 48when it
was full, they drew it ashore,
sat down, and put the good
into baskets but threw out the
bad. 49So it will be at the end
of the age. The angels will
come out and separate the evil
from the righteous 50and throw
them into the furnace of fire,
where there will be weeping
and gnashing of teeth.
• What does it mean?
– Every kind =
– Coming of kingdom will
include a final judgment
– Good and bad will be
separated, will receive fitting
reward or punishment
53
Treasures New and Old
13:51-53
• 51‘Have you understood
all this?’ They answered,
‘Yes.’ 52And he said to
them, ‘Therefore every
scribe who has been
trained for the kingdom of
heaven is like the master
of a household who
brings out of his treasure
what is new and what is
old.’ 53 When Jesus had
finished these parables,
he left that place.
• What does it mean?
– Scribe becomes a…..
– New =
– Old =
 Summary:
• Neither is sufficient
without the other
• The Gospel is the fullness
of “The Law”
54
Jesus Walks on the Water
14:22-33
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and
go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the
crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he
went up the mountain by himself to pray. When
evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time
the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,*
for the wind was against them. 25And early in the
morning he came walking towards them on the lake.
26But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake,
they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried
out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them
and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’
28 Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to
come to you on the water.’ 29He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter
got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and
came towards Jesus. 30But when he noticed the
strong wind,* he became frightened, and beginning to
sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ 31Jesus
immediately reached out his hand and caught him,
saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’
32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly
you are the Son of God.’
34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at
Gennesaret. 35After the people of that place
recognized him, they sent word throughout the region
and brought all who were sick to him, 36and begged
him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak;
and all who touched it were healed.
•
•
Wind – hostile forces of
world
Peter represents all
Christians in his
enthusiastic love but
insufficient faith
55
Peter’s Declaration About Jesus
16:13-20
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of
Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
14And they said, ‘Some say John the
Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others
Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15He said
to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’
16Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the
Messiah,* the Son of the living God.’ 17And
Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you,
Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has
not revealed this to you, but my Father in
heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter,* and
on this rock* I will build my church, and the
gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I
will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will
be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose
on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ 20Then
he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell
anyone that he was* the Messiah.*
56
Discourse Four
Jesus Founds and Instructs the Church
Jesus is head, guide & model of Church
 Continues to guide through leaders
 Establishment of the Church
Mt. 16:18-19
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I
will build my church, and the gates of Hades will
not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of
the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
57
Reproving Another Who Sins
18:15-20
15 ‘If another member of the church sins against you,
go and point out the fault when the two of you are
alone. If the member listens to you, you have
regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to,
take one or two others along with you, so that
every word may be confirmed by the evidence of
two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to
listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the
offender refuses to listen even to the church, let
such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax
collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again,
truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about
anything you ask, it will be done for you by my
Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are
gathered in my name, I am there among them.’
58
Forgiveness
18:21-22
21 Then Peter came
• What does it mean?
and said to him, ‘Lord,
– Christians have no
right to place a limit on
if another member of
forgiveness
the church sins
against me, how often
should I forgive? As
many as seven
times?’ 22Jesus said
to him, ‘Not seven
times, but, I tell you,
seventy-seven times.
59
The Unforgiving Servant
18:23-35
23‘For this reason the kingdom of
heaven may be compared to a
king who wished to settle
accounts with his slaves.
24When he began the
reckoning, one who owed him
ten thousand talents was
brought to him; 25and, as he
could not pay, his lord ordered
him to be sold, together with his
wife and children and all his
possessions, and payment to
be made. 26So the slave fell on
his knees before him, saying,
“Have patience with me, and I
will pay you everything.” 27And
out of pity for him, the lord of
that slave released him and
forgave him the debt.
60
The Unforgiving Servant continued…
28But that same slave, as he went
out, came upon one of his fellow
slaves who owed him a hundred
denarii; and seizing him by the
throat, he said, “Pay what you
owe.” 29Then his fellow slave fell
down and pleaded with him, “Have
patience with me, and I will pay
you.” 30But he refused; then he
went and threw him into prison
until he would pay the debt.
31When his fellow slaves saw
what had happened, they were
greatly distressed, and they went
and reported to their lord all that
had taken place. 32Then his lord
summoned him and said to him,
“You wicked slave! I forgave you
all that debt because you pleaded
with me. 33Should you not have
had mercy on your fellow slave, as
I had mercy on you?”
•
34And in anger his lord handed
him over to be tortured until he
would pay his entire debt. 35So
my heavenly Father will also do to
every one of you, if you do not
forgive your brother or sister from
your heart.’
King =
Merciless servant =
Summary:
•God’s forgiveness will be
revoked if we are unwilling to
forgive others
•To receive God’s mercy –
show mercy to others
61
Laborers in the Vineyard
20:1-16
For the kingdom of heaven is like a
landowner who went out early in
the morning to hire laborers for his
vineyard. 2After agreeing with the
laborers for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
3When he went out about nine
o’clock, he saw others standing
idle in the marketplace; 4and he
said to them, “You also go into the
vineyard, and I will pay you
whatever is right.” So they went.
5When he went out again about
noon and about three o’clock, he
did the same. 6And about five
o’clock he went out and found
others standing around; and he
said to them, “Why are you
standing here idle all day?” 7They
said to him, “Because no one has
hired us.” He said to them, “You
also go into the vineyard.”
62
Laborers in Vineyard continued…
8When evening came, the owner of
the vineyard said to his manager,
“Call the laborers and give them
their pay, beginning with the last
and then going to the first.” 9When
those hired about five o’clock
came, each of them received the
usual daily wage. 10Now when
the first came, they thought they
would receive more; but each of
them also received the usual daily
wage. 11And when they received
it, they grumbled against the
landowner, 12saying, “These last
worked only one hour, and you
have made them equal to us who
have borne the burden of the day
and the scorching heat.” 13But he
replied to one of them, “Friend, I
am doing you no wrong; did you
not agree with me for the usual
daily wage? 14Take what belongs
to you and go; I choose to give to
this last the same as I give to you.
•
15Am I not allowed to do what I
choose with what belongs to me?
Or are you envious because I am
generous?” 16So the last will be
first, and the first will be last.’
•What does it mean?
−Jesus preached to
pious and “lost sheep”
−If God is just
−they accept Jesus’
message, they will both
share in God’s kingdom
63
Discourse Five
The Final Judgment
Eschatological Discourse
 End of Temple
 End of the world
 Divine judgment on Last Day
Apocalyptic
64
The Necessity for Watchfulness
24:36-44
But about that day and hour no one knows, neither
the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the
Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will
be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in
those days before the flood they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they
knew nothing until the flood came and swept
them all away, so too will be the coming of the
Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one
will be taken and one will be left. 41Two
women will be grinding meal together; one will
be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake
therefore, for you do not know on what day
your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if
the owner of the house had known in what part
of the night the thief was coming, he would
have stayed awake and would not have let his
house be broken into. 44Therefore you also
must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at
an unexpected hour.
• Time of Jesus’
return is
unknown….so
always be
ready
• We should not
be caught
unaware like
Noah’s
contemporaries
65
The Faithful or the Unfaithful Slave
24:45-51
45‘Who then is the faithful and wise
slave, whom his master has put in
charge of his household, to give the
other slaves their allowance of food at
the proper time? 46Blessed is that
slave whom his master will find at
work when he arrives. 47Truly I tell
you, he will put that one in charge of
all his possessions. 48But if that
wicked slave says to himself, “My
master is delayed,” 49and he begins
to beat his fellow slaves, and eats
and drinks with drunkards, 50the
master of that slave will come on a
day when he does not expect him and
at an hour that he does not know.
51He will cut him in pieces and put
him with the hypocrites, where there
will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.
• Faithful & Wise
Servant
– Does his duty
– Master return &
awards him
abundantly
• The Wicked Servant
– Takes advantage of
master’s prolonged
absence
• Mistreats other
servants
• Wastes time in
foolish pleasures
– When master returns
he will be punished
66
The Parable of the Talents
25:14-30
• The Master =
• The accounting =
• Constant watchfulness demands fruitful
action & even boldness
67
Judgment of the Nations
25:31-46
 What does it mean?
– Eschatalogical discourse
– Final judgment good and bad will be separated
• Sheep/Goats
─ Good deeds:
 Clothing the naked
 Hospitality to the homeless
 Feeding the hungry
 Visiting the imprisoned
─ All the nations =
─ The least =
 Summary:
At final judgment all humanity judged according to acts of
kindness done to poor and suffering people
68