A Man Traveling into a Far Country - Matthew 25:14

After Jesus told the story of the “ten virgins”, Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country” where we read:

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country,

who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

The verse reads, “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “for the kingdom” which means “because, since and on account that the royal power, dominion and rule” “of heaven” or “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “is as a man traveling” which means “is like unto a male human being going abroad”“into a far country” which refers to “to a foreign part or land”. Matthew shared how Jesus began a new story about what the “Kingdom of Heaven” is like, and this time he employs the example of a man “traveling” to a foreign land.

The verse goes on to say, “who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.” Matthew continued with Jesus' words, “who called” which means “the man who was to travel to a foreign land beckoned, bid and called forth” “his own servants” or “the man's own personal slaves, bondmen and men of servile condition”, “and delivered unto them” which means “and gave over, commended and committed to them” “his goods” or “the man's possessions, wealth and property”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the man who was going to travel “called” his “servants” to him and entrusted to them his property and wealth.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we can imagine this man who was “traveling” to foreign place. While he was gone, he “entrusted” his personal property to his “servants”. Often when people go away for a trip, vacation or time of urgent need, they “entrust” their homes and belongings to others' care while they are away. God gave His Son Jesus to the world to die for their sins. He rose from the grave three days later, and ascended into heaven where He sits on the right hand of God. In other words, He has “gone away” for a while, and during that time He has “entrusted” His “property and wealth” to His “servants”. His servants are to care for His belongings, and He will soon return to make an accounting of them. The question comes to mind, “What are we doing with and how do we manage God's property?” As Jesus continues His story, we shall see what three “servants” did with their master's.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the man traveling into a far country gave proportionally to his servants. To one of them he gave, “five talents, to another two, and to another one”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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