In this study of the Parables of Jesus, we are reading many of the stories Jesus used to teach hearers about how to live as His followers. Each day we’ll read parables in their immediate context, focusing on a different category of parables each week. Then we will work through a series of questions to understand the meaning of the text and take to heart the “secrets of the kingdom.”
Editor’s Note: In this Parables study, Jesus Himself is telling us stories—stories He wants us to reflect on and process. Rather than asking our writers to write their own stories about Jesus’ stories, we thought it would serve you and the text better to provide questions to help you dig into the meaning of each day’s parable. If you find a parable or passage particularly confusing, stop and pray. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you in His Word, and thank Him that we can know Him without knowing all the answers to our questions.
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Week 1: Parables about God’s Kingdom
Parables are stories with a point. They are designed to make us think about what is being said, why, where, to whom, and in what context. To get to the heart of Jesus’ parables, we need to pull them apart and take a careful look at the details He gives us. One detail that runs through this week’s selection of parables is that Jesus says they all describe the kingdom of God in some way. As you read through these passages, use the following questions to unpack the stories Jesus tells.
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Day 5 Reading: Matthew 25:1-13, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 12:35-48
Questions:
1. In Luke’s parable about the master’s return, who are the characters in the story and who do they represent?
2. What issue does this particular parable address, and what is the outcome of the story?
3. What is the central point of this parable?
4. What, if anything, do you find particularly difficult to understand about this parable? What about it seems clear? What is your response to it?
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68 thoughts on "The Master’s Return"
Matthew 25:1-13
For a long time I struggled with understanding this parable because I wanted the 5 women who had plenty of oil to share at least a little with the others to help them out. It all seemed pretty selfish to me, and when put in the context of Jesus’ return and faith I thought we were supposed to be sharing our faith and stories with each other, helping each other along the way. It wasn’t until just recently that I realized the 5 women who had oil actually did share in the only way they could. If the oil represents my own relationship with God and me being filled by Him, then there is no way for me to hand that to someone else to save them. However, I can direct them to the source, as the 5 women with oil did. I can point those thirsting for more to the feet of Jesus where they can find their own relationship with God to be filled my His Spirit and presence.
You have given me some really amazing insight into today’s readings. I was a little confused as to why they couldn’t share at least a little oil. But even in my own journey nobody could give me a slice of their faith. I have had to work to build that up myself. Thank you for the insight!
This is so good! Great insight!
This is awesome; thank you for sharing your insight!
Thank you! I was wondering about that too and your explanation really helps!
So good! Thanks for this!
What a good explanation! Thank you!
Ah! Love this perspective so much. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this. Very good insight
Amen Erica! Thank you so much for sharing
I don’t where my family will be living next year when our lease ends. This unknown drives me crazy sometimes. Last week I thought if Jesus doesn’t even know when He is returning, then I can learn to live with ambiguity and the unknown too. I need to keep having faith God will care for my family wherever we end up. This parable reminds me to keep doing the work before me no matter if we move or not.
Thank you so much for sharing your insight Amanda! I have been told by God that He has a wonderful job for me but I continue to be unemployed and it’s so hurtful to get rejection or not even a call application after application. I too will work harder at just being present for Him and not get so upset about the unknown.
I struggle with the part where those who have a lot will be given more. I always thought it was unfair until I reread the parable and tried to see it in a different perspective. I am grateful that God blesses me with abundance and that He calls me daughter. With that comes great responsibility to share what I have with others. He has blessed me with gifts and talents that I should in turn use to share God’s love to others. I often have to remind myself to act with a joyful attitude and abundance, than with an attitude of scarcity and hoard His blessings.
Love this reminder! Thank you.
I️ was just thinking that it’s probably a good idea to keep asking myself if I️ would be proud or ashamed if Jesus found me doing what I️ am doing at the moment. How ashamed would I️ feel if he came back at a moment I️ was gossiping? How wonderful would I️ feel if he came back at a moment I️ was building someone up? I️ want him to be proud of me not ashamed that I️ am one of his, so I️ will fight my urges to sin.
I’m borrowing your “good idea!” May we be constantly aware of His Presence.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you bare not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Thank you for sharing this passage, Ann! It helped me so much to put these parables into perspective. It’s good to know that we are eternally secure in Him.
When I think about the parable of the 10 bridesmaids, I think it’s an exhortation to be diligent about our intimacy with God. I often feel as though I borrow intimacy from authors, song-writers etc when I’m struggling to spend quality time with him. Recently I guess I’ve realized that by all means I should stay plugged in to those resources that help feed my faith, but I can’t borrow their oil. I have to, i need to connect with him daily, hourly, every minute, as much as i can. I’m not good at it but i pray God help me be better.
Luke 12:35-48 I think is less about punishment but an exhortation to steward well the mysteries and gifts He has entrusted to us. I don’t think the details of punishment are important, but simply, if we turn away when we’ve known Him can we imagine spending eternity separated from Him.
Reading the passages in this order reminds me of a quote from a recent If Gathering, “Intimacy precedes sentness.” We must have our own intimate relationship with him in order to be productive in serving him. Pray you all have a blessed day and we connect directly with Him!!
I love your insight – you can’t borrow someone else’s oil. So true.
Love this! I’ve never looked at this parable this way. Yes, to be daily building a relationship with Christ is key. Intimacy grows with time well spent pouring over Scripture and in prayer .
Yes! “I can’t borrow soneone else’s oil.” Thank you, Cassandra!
My mom and I had a similar conversation yesterday about the phrase, “I see God at work everywhere.” She has just been saved at the age of 77 (praise God!) and said she believed it when people said it, but didn’t really understand. Now she sees it for herself! I guess she couldn’t “borrow someone else’s oil,” when it came to really seeing God everywhere.
Awesome about your mom!
PRAISE GOD your mom is saved! the Lord is so good and faithful! (:
Thanks, Cassandra, for your insight. I love connecting with God through music but I have allowed it to become my quiet time, instead of using it to enhance my quiet time.
These comments are so edifying, ah! This is what came to mind while reading your insight:
“I can’t borrow someone else’s oil”; their gifts, talents, and faith are their own. This is encouraging on another level too because this means the world can’t take our oil, the world can’t take what belongs to the father and the father alone.
I wrote something similar in my journal about not borrowing someone else’s oil, but your explanation really fleshed it out for me. Thank you!
I just wanted to say that I do really enjoy this study. Even though I can be slightly confused on things it’s so amazing to be able to ask this wonderful group of ladies their opinions and read your views. I guess it again shows me how personal God is. I don’t know why this always surprises me because He so often shows me He deeply cares for ME and YOU in the way we best need it! I just wanted to let y’all know though sometimes confused I like how this is pushing me to think and dig deeper and depend on the other ladies here. To ask questions. Thank you for getting me out of my box!
I was about to post the same thing! I went back to yesterday’s study and was amazed with all the thoughtful comments, insights, questions and responses that were shared by the lovely readers of this group. How beautiful to have safe space to share our confusion and lightbulb moments. I feel like we’re really doing this study together!
My thoughts also!
Agreed!!
I’m confused about verses Luke 12: 47-48.
Is Jesus talking about people who are already saved? Then when does this punishment happen? In Heaven? On Earth? And if he’s talking about people in general, what does the light beating refer to as opposed to the heavy beating? Is the heavy beating hell? Is Jesus talking about returning at the End or is punishment that is ongoing, occurring here on earth? I️ didn’t anticipate being confused about these parables, but for some reason, this study has my brain all jumbled.
Hi, Erikka! I think this refers to the punishment that will happen on Jesus’second coming. The light beating is for those who never knew Him and the heavy one is for those that knowing Him decided to ignore his commands.
The light beating seemed unfair to me at first, but then I remember what Paul said about no one having any excuse (Romans 1:20).
These parables have puzzled me too, but they also motivated me to be alert and expectant to His coming and to encourage those around me to be alert as well.
I don’t think we should take this passage too literally because we know what ultimately happens to those who reject Jesus, but rather let it be a somber reminder or a wake up call to believers that we need to ever be growing in our faith and not become complacent and let it propel us further to “always be about the Father’s business”. Hard to do sometimes when the responsibilities of life get in the way, but God sees the true intentions of our hearts.