Matthew 25:1 I. The main difficulty of interpretation in this parable is to understand what is meant by the wise and foolish virgins respectively; and also what is meant by the "taking oil in their vessels with their lamps." In the meaning of those expressions lies the key to the passage. It seems o... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:1 Here is one of the larger and grander pictures in this gallery of various glory. It is sublime in its ample outline, and exquisitely tender in its details. It is charged with many precious lessons, which flow freely at the gentlest touch; and it is cruel to put it to the torture, to co... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:1 The kingdom of Heaven has a strange fulness of meaning in the Scriptures, and must be understood to signify something quite different from the company of those who may call themselves saints, or may truly be saints, in any particular age. These last are "the children of the kingdom," b... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:5 Maiden Spirits waiting for Happy Life. I. Men are always discussing questions of time how long the world has lasted, or will last; the day of judgment, questions of futurity in one shape or another; in fact, putting off getting their thoughts away from the present, which contains for t... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:6 The Duty of Watchfulness. I. The ten virgins represent the people of the Lord, awakened by the Spirit, separate from the world, looking for His coming. But among these there is a wide distinction. Some were wise, prudent, circumspect; others were foolish, improvident, unthrifty. And i... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:6 Mark here:. I. The Discovery. "Our lamps are gone out." (1) There is no indwelling grace. Their lamps went out because they had no oil. They burned for a while, as a dry wick will do, often with a great blaze, but soon the flame decays, and it goes out for want of oil. This is the cas... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:7 I. Our parable teaches that, however long and deeply a man may sleep, he is sure to awake at last. "Then." Is it not true that to every soul comes the time when God calls calls plainly, audibly, loudly, "Then"? (1) There are epochs in an age when all things seem to call to arise and tr... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:8 I. "Our lamps are gone out." The horror of the cry; all that is compressed in it; what secrets of slovenly lives which only half suspected their own slovenliness. Numbers of dying people are uttering it daily; if it could be heard and understood, it would surely crush all creatures int... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:10 Note three sad features of the foolish virgins' case which the text presents.. I. Their Neglect. Having equipped themselves duly for taking part in the wedding march, by kindling their lamps, they omitted to ensure that the equipment should be maintained, carrying with them no oil fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:10 I. Who are ready? All are not ready. This parable shows that all who make a profession of being Christ's are not ready. The foolish virgins appeared to be ready. They had their robe, their lamp, their wick and flame; yet they were not ready. (1) Those who have the wedding garment. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:14 Unequal Gifts. At the very opening of this parable we shall encounter a thought which touches on the saddest and most irritating problem that our century has tried to solve; that of the origin of inequalities. Jesus here unhesitatingly attributes it to God. He compares God to a master... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:14 In the case of the unprofitable servant as it emerges in the latter portion of the parable, three points demand our attention separately and successively the Reason, the Nature, and the Reward of his unfaithfulness. I. The _reason_of his unfaithfulness, as explained by himself is, "I... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:16 The Servants at Work. I. It is the great law of labour which the Gospel affirms here, in the example of those two men doubling the talents they had received. The first gift of God is multiplied in their skilful and faithful hands. What is the nature of the labour of the industry of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:19 The Account to be rendered. I. Is not the servant who had received least a type of the insignificant of the earth, of the immerse mass of those who are commonly called the _proletaires_the disinherited of here below? Why does Jesus show him alone to be guilty, alone justly punished, w... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:20 Fidelity and Recompense. I. The teaching of this parable, although addressed at first to the disciples, is not to be limited to them, nor to any who, like them, are charged with the fulfilment of a special duty; it is teaching for us all. It implies a common responsibility for the us... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:21 Before us is a servant of Jesus Christ, and we have to consider: (1) His Character, (2) his Conduct, (3) his Reward.. I. His Character. "Good and faithful;" good, personally virtuous, and efficient as a servant. (1) A good and faithful servant accepts his position as a servant, with... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:24 Sordid Knowledge. I. These are very remarkable words. Observe how positively the man speaks: "I knew thee that thou art an hard man." He is quite sure of it, and has no fear of being contradicted even when advancing the plea to his lord himself. Indeed it is his excuse, his hope of ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:29 Talents improved are multiplied; talents misimproved are resumed by their owner. Apply this principle of the Divine government: (1) To personal endowments; (2) to providential advantages; (3) to religious privileges; (4) to spiritual blessings; (5) to opportunities of Christian work.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:31 I. When we turn to the Book of God in order to learn what particulars are revealed to us respecting the awful coming of the Lord, the first thing which strikes us is its suddenness. When it will be we know not; where it will be we know not. It must suffice for us that it will be as su... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:32 The Final Separation. I. Its Author. (1) His ability. (2) His prerogative. II. Its Nature. (1) Its exactness. (2) Its completeness. (3) Its consequences in respect to place and employment and interest. III. Its Principle. (1) On the ground of character. (2) The test of character is... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:34 The Surprise of the Righteous. I. The special peculiarity of the persons of whom our Lord here speaks, is that they did not know, that they had no suspicion, that in showing kindness to men, they were showing kindness to Christ. "Lord," they answer, "when saw we Thee?" It is a revela... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:34 The Judgment of the Nations. Perhaps we are justified in saying that we have, in connection with these words, the most vivid description of the last judgment to be found in the Holy Bible. We learn from them that, though good works cannot merit heaven, it is a solemn fact that God Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:37 The Humility of the Saints. The kingdom of heaven this is what Christ came to introduce to introduce into active co-operation with us poor men. He brought down out of that far place this fund of eternal and victorious forces. He put at our disposal and under our manipulation the whol... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:45 The Great Reality. I. The moment any heart thoroughly admits a great reality, and takes anything, whether truly or falsely, as a great reality, for that man all life is another thing from what it was before. And all the various opinions, delusions, and mistakes in the world, however... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 25:46 Judgment by Works. These words spake the Saviour and Judge of all mankind, intimating the unending bliss or woe of the world to come. And surely these words should be enough to stop the mouths of all reverent people. Is it not enough that Christ hath spoken? Shall poor blind mortals... [ Continue Reading ]