Today, we continue
with more perplexing/puzzling parables in Matthew 25. Rather than me offering an explanation, I
want to encourage your examination and exploration of the parables. Which of the parables (Bridesmaids, Talents,
Sheep and Goats) do you find yourself gravitating towards? Once you have one parable, read the narrative
several times, perhaps in different translation (you can go to www.biblegateway.com to find different translations of
scripture). For example, I could dwell
with the Bridesmaid parable thinking about times I have felt prepared and also
about times when I have felt the oil in my lamp of my soul on empty! Times when I am on the inside and times I
feel left out. Times I have felt ready
and moments I am faking it until I try to make it. Moments when I join the party and times, I am
late or never go. I am both
a wise and foolish Bridesmaid. Or I can
ponder how, where, and with whom I share my time, talent, and treasure. Note your calendar and credit card statements
are moral documents that tell you what you really value, and who you value. When have you shared God’s love with someone
unintentionally or unaware (note that the “sheep” don’t remember or
recall how they entertained Jesus, they simply sought to share God’s
grace with others - see vs. 37-38). One
final note, too often with parables we are so serious/somber. We treat parables as a puzzle to solve with
our Ovaltine/cereal box decoder ring. We
wrestle for a single lesson like we do out of fairy tales, but parables are
messy and reflect humanness back to us.
Hold this, let these words soak and simmer in your soul, and I pray you
might discover a playful and prayerful spirit as you ponder on of the parables
in chapter 25.
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