The Master’s Return
Open Your Bible
Matthew 25:1-13, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 12:35-48
BY She Reads Truth
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?
68 thoughts on "The Master’s Return"
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Thank you ,Miranda, for reminding me of the “talk” vs. “walk”. This is what I think Luke is referring to in the last two verses, 47 and 48. Those who have been given much (insight, knowledge, wisdom) of the significance of the coming of the Lord will be expected to be walking in faith. They will be held accountable for what knowledge has been given to them. If they are not walking, and they are just talking, they will be severely punished. Those who have not been given the knowledge or are just baby Christians, will be held accountable for only what they know and will only be “lightly beaten”. Therefore, the more we know our Lord, the more will be expected of us. I can also appreciate how this applies concretely to His blessings of talents and/or wealth and how we would be expected to use those to bring glory to Him and not just hoard them.
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Part of this parable was the focus of our homily in church last week so I was excited to see it as today’s study. This parable is all about being prepared. We do not know when we will meet our Lord Jesus Christ again so those that are believers should live life as if He may come at any moment. It’s sort of if you talk the talk, you also need to walk the walk situation; those who say they have faith in our Lord and follow Him should live life with a faith filled heart, following his teachings, and living by His word at all times for those that are truly faithful and righteous will be received at his table in the Kingdom of Heaven. God has entrusted us with a mission to spread His word and live His truth as his children and not just take our faith lightly.
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I found this blog post about the parable of the beaten servants in Luke 12:35-48 and thought it offered an interesting perspective: https://escapetoreality.org/2014/07/09/the-parable-of-the-beaten-servants-luke-1235-48/
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This is a really great resource, Kristi. Thanks so much for linking it! I learned a lot.
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Thank you so much Kristi for this source, definitely a good word :)
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Hi guys, can you please pray for me? Just got my Biology exam score back, and I got a D+. I feel horrible. After the test I felt that I did okay. I studied a lot for it and felt like I knew the material. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, I have a low C in this class and I really want to pass it (same with Chemistry). I just feel really frustrated with myself that I’m not doing well and I don’t know what to do to get better. I’ve been trying different study habits but I guess none of them are working.
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Hey, sorry to hear studying is not going so well, even though you’re trying hard. Hope our prayers can lift you up.
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I pray that you receive the Spirit and Grace that made Daniel excel ten times better than his pairs. I also pray that you receive the favor of the Lord as your teacher grades all your exams. Pray to God for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before you begin studying. Don’t worry, the spirit of excellence is upon you, instead give thanks because you know you will excel in all your classes! God cannot fail, and as His child, you cannot fail too!
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Hello Sarah D. This is Denise Morgan. I live in Lynchburg about 10 minutes from L.U. I attend Calvary Chapel Lynchburg http://www.cclburg.com/ where quite a few L.U. students attend. I have been praying for you for some time now when you were thinking of coming to L.U. I continue to pray for you . I do understand that the freshman year is quite a change from how life has been prior to this. What worked for you in highschool may not work in college. It is a very different way of teaching and of studying and of living daily life. You are no longer in the family home with parents and siblings-you are now in a dorm with people you have never met before. You are also in an adult environment where you make decisions for yourself. All of that can become overwhelming and distracting making it difficult to concentrate on your studies. You state that you do not know what to do to get better. Have you considered tutoring? Or asking a fellow student who is doing well in those classes for help? I know this can be intimidating but it is a useful help that may be what you need in order to pass these difficult classes. Have you spoken to your counselor about this ? They may be able to match you up with fellow student that could help you. Give this to God and ask Him to guide you to the right person/people who can help you with what you need. He provides for our needs. Trust Him. Lifting you up in prayer right now .
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Hi Sarah, it’s always frustrating when we try so hard and things don’t turn out the way we had anticipated. Please don’t let the enemy have you thinking less of yourself. You did everything you knew to do and that is all God asks of us. There is a reason for everything He allows to happen in our lives and perhaps He will reveal this to you in time. His ways are greater than ours and even though it’s difficult and we don’t understand why we didn’t get what we thought we would, He just asks us to trust Him. I think sometimes He just wants to know that we will look to Him first when we are struggling. He is our loving Father. It’s always easy to put faith in Him when things are going well and we are getting what we think we need. Don’t give up and praise God for all He has done. Tell Him what you told us and ask Him what is your next best step to take. Praying for you!
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I just want to encourage you to keep going. I can say “me too”. I had to study really hard. When I got a D on an English literature paper it was difficult spending 5 hours revising it. Fortunately I didn’t have to take too many of those kinds of classes. I also got a D in chemistry and had to figure out how to study for that. It’s difficult when you don’t like the material. I found it helpful to talk to the teachers sometimes. Keep trying. I takes a lot of work. And I made it to become a doctor. As it says in James 1:5 God will give you wisdom if you pray believing. I am believing He is giving you wisdom and that the joy of the Lord will be your strength to take you through to the goals and plans He has for you.
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As a homeschool Mom, I want to share a tip… the best way to retain and understand information is to teach it to someone else. Explain your understanding to someone. It doesn’t matter if they already understand or have no basics. If you can get someone else to understand what you are saying, you have a certain level of mastery. Spend time talking about what you have learned. (It’s the mortar that holds the bricks together.) Praying for you Sarah.
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I am content and grateful that He has left the light on. He invites all. Whatever day or whatever hour He decides to open the door one last time is up to Him. He alone knows. When the door is shut, it is shut. Better not wait.
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The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me on the art of preparation. As well as how a lot of the anxiety and stress I️ deal with can be traced back to a lack of preparedness. Today’s reading was yet another confirmation for me. Thank you for this study!
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Thank you! I needed to hear this today!
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My grown kids, my husband and I were just talking about the second coming of Jesus…and the absence of preaching /teaching on this subject in churches today. I was very happy to see these verses here today, and to hear three different Gospel writers quote Jesus’ own words. Just as the disciples didn’t understand that Jesus would literally die and raise from the dead, I think that we followers often don’t get that Jesus let us know He’s coming again. I’ve anticipated His second coming my whole Christian journey…I encourage this generation to join me in the watching, waiting and being prepared for His return!
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1. In Luke’s parable about the master’s return, who are the characters in the story and who do they represent? The servants (Christians) and the master (Jesus).
2. What issue does this particular parable address, and what is the outcome of the story? The issue is what to do while we wait for the second coming of Christ, and the outcome is, if we are not spiritually “ready” (i.e. consciously making a sinful choice because “Oh He will forgive me” or “he’s not coming today” as the servant decided when he became restless in waiting so beat others and got drunk) results in a “severe beating” or “being cut to pieces and put with the unfaithful.”
3. What is the central point of this parable? Be ready. Be vigilant. Don’t put your faith aside for a rainy day. (And btw you’re doing this already – by getting into the Word. <3)
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? Difficult – "But the one who did not know (his masters will), and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating" I think this relates to other who don't know about Christ yet? Clear – "And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." It seems pretty black and white. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
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