He Knows My Tendency to Play It Safe
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
Meditation
When it comes to extending the kingdom of God, Jesus never played it safe.
Throughout his ministry, there has never been any caution in his steps, only the determination to live all out for the purpose of his Father—nothing held back, all given. But living such a life is risky. It brings with it both rewards from heaven and consequences on earth.
From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus has gone against the social mores of his culture and has raised the ire of the religious leaders. For the sake of the kingdom, he’s embraced the social outcast, daring to approach the unapproachable. He’s ignored ceremonial etiquette, frequently breaking the rules of the Sabbath for the sake of those who need true rest. He has gone out of his way to enfold the spiritually unclean, having the audacity to extend grace to the grace-less, bringing the kingdom of God to the lost sheep outside of the flock of Israel.
In these last days, he’s courageously made his way to Jerusalem. In this city, he will risk it all. He’ll stretch out his arms and go out on a limb for all of humanity. Though death awaits him, he refuses to live cautiously.
His Father has promised him that after the cross will come the resurrection. When the vault of the tomb opens, he will see his redemptive investment pay out eternal dividends: victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.
For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus will give proof of his resurrection. When the time for his ascension draws near, he’ll take another risk. He’ll entrust the Gospel into the hands of his disciples, ordinary men without formal education in the Scriptures, schooled only at his feet. Afterwards he’ll be taken up and disappear into the clouds, hidden from their sight yet always present. Added to the promise of his presence is a guarantee; one day he will reappear.
While they wait, the disciples are to watch.
“So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.”1
As Jesus prepares his disciples for the time when he’ll no longer be visibly among them, he paints five pictures in parables. Collectively, the parables are framed around the theme of watchfulness. Each individual parable brings a deeper dimension to the whole.
As Jesus teaches, he paints with vigorous strokes.
“Keep your eyes open! Watch the skies! Be prepared! I might show up when you least expect it! While you wait, get busy and stay busy with kingdom work!”
Jesus has expectations. While his disciples wait, they are to work. When he ascends into the clouds, he’s going to give them the keys of the kingdom. Though he’ll always be the owner of the house, they’re going to be appointed the managers—stewards of his grace and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
So that they might remember their calling and be diligent in their duties, Jesus tells the story of a master and three of his servants.
“It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master’s investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master’s money.”2
As the master is about to go off on an extended trip, he calls three of his servants and entrusts them with cash assets, each according to his ability. He knows their potential. He’s carefully watched and monitored their capacity to perform. He gives each one of them no more than he can handle and no less than he needs to fulfill his responsibility. There is no parity in the allowance but there is equity—just and reasonable allotment in keeping with the gifts of the servants. The master gives them the charge to manage things well while he is away and then leaves.
The first two servants rush out straightaway and put their master’s money to work. They work hard and double their master’s investment. But the third digs a hole and buries his master’s money. After a long delay, the master returns and calls his servants to settle up accounts. The first two servants rush to the master and show him how they have doubled his investment.
He commends both of them,
“Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.”3
But the third servant comes with a handful of dirty money and a bag full of excuses. He accuses his master of being overly demanding, loving high standards, and hating careless ways. He explains that he didn’t want to incur his master’s wrath and so he chose to play it safe. He had buried his master’s investment and now he returns it to him as is. No more than when he got it. No less.
The master is furious.
“That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.”
“Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this ‘play-it-safe’ who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.”4
While Jesus, the Master, is hidden from their sight, he calls his servants to watch, wait, and work. There is no time to play it safe. The currency of grace is to be invested until the very last minute of time.
Eternal dividends are at stake.
Nothing ventured for the kingdom … nothing gained.
Reflection
What is the posture of your life while you wait for the Master to reappear? Are you active or passive?
What type of kingdom responsibilities has the Master entrusted to you? Are you playing it safe or are you working diligently?
In what ways have you doubled the Master’s investments? How have you buried your kingdom talents?
When the Master reappears and settles accounts, what do you think he will say to you?
Prayer
Father,
Your Son took a great risk when he entrusted the work of the kingdom into the hands of men. While we wait for his reappearance, he has called us not only to watch with anticipation but also to work with diligence. I must confess that, during the delay, I have become passive. There have been many times, when, out of fear or laziness, I have buried the kingdom investment that your Son entrusted to me.
During this day, remind me that your Son knows my abilities and that he only asks me to steward that which I am able. No more than I can. No less than I am capable. Help me to live courageously: doing what I can, when I can, with what I have. Embolden me to take risks of grace and invest myself in the economy of the kingdom of God. May your Spirit double my efforts so that I might one day present them before the Master and hear him say, “Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.”
It’s in the Master’s name I pray. Amen.
1Matthew 24:42-44 2Matthew 25:14-18 3Matthew 25:23
4Matthew 25:26-30
All Scripture references in the meditation are marked by italics and are taken from the Gospel reading for the day. Those verses quoted outside of the chosen reading for the day are noted. All Scripture quoted in this post is taken from THE MESSAGE: Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 & 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.