In the next couple of weeks, Conrad Black’s venerable lawyer, Miguel Estrada, will enter a courtroom in Chicago to argue for his client’s bail pending his upcoming appeal. He won a unanimous decision in the Supreme Court for his client in a case that few predicted would even reach the nation’s highest court.
Lord Black was convicted of three counts of mail fraud. The Supreme Court said that his conviction on the "honest services statute" is limited to bribery and kickbacks and the scheme alleged against Lord Black didn’t involve either. (Steven Skurka http://www.nationalpost.com/Bail+possible+Lord+Black/3288988/story.html#ixzz0tz4wx5w5)
Conrad Black is known as one of the smartest people around, but there has been much criticism that he made some foolish decisions that allowed him to be convicted. One interesting issue is whether or not he was wise in managing his companies finances in generating good returns for investors.
In our series on wisdom, we have seen that being wise is not just knowing the right thing to do, but actually doing it. In Matthew 24, Jesus deals with this topic in terms of His return. Matt. 24:1–25:46 is often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus “sat on the Mount of Olives” (24:3) when he spoke these words. It is the fifth of Jesus’ five major discourses recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Addressed to his disciples, it is intended to give them a prophetic overview of the events to transpire in both the near and distant future.
Matt. 24:42–25:30 begins a series of Parabolic Exhortations to Watch and Be Prepared for the Coming of the Son of Man. Jesus gives four parables to explain to his disciples how and why they should be prepared for his coming: the homeowner and the thief (24:42–44), the good and wicked servants (24:45–51), the 10 virgins (25:1–13), and the talents (25:14–30). Each of these pictures is alike in stressing the sudden nature and unpredictability of Christ’s return, but each also adds its own unique elements. The picture of the flood reminds us that many persons will be lost. The picture of the two men working in the fields and the two women grinding at the mill points to a radical separation and reminds us that we are not saved by knowing or being close to a believer. The picture of the thief reminds us that our souls are valuable and that it is simple prudence for us to be ready. What about this next picture, the contrast between the two servants? This picture provides an explanation of what being ready means (Boice, J. M. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (520). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.).
The contrast between the two servants is closely parallel to Luke 12:42–46, where the context is similarly eschatological, following the sayings about the burglar and about being ready because the Son of Man will come when he is not expected. Matthew does not, however, follow Luke in the concluding comments (Luke 12:47–48) about the different degrees of culpability depending on whether the slave knew what his master expected of him (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (943). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
A wise Christian does not merely keep looking for the coming of the Son of Man. Instead they should be completing the work of the Great Commission (28:19–20), as well as being prepared and expectant, because the time of Christ’s return is unknown (24:36) (ESV Study Bible. Crossway Bibles. Wheaton, Ill. 2001.).
In exercising heavenly wisdom we see the contrast between the 1) Faithful & Wise servant (Matthew 24:44-47) from the Foolish 2) Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:48-51)
First we see :
a) The Character of the Faithful & Wise Servant (Matthew 24:45)
Matthew 24:45 [45]"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? (ESV)
This story varies from the typical parable form in that Jesus envisages two alternative, hypothetical scenarios involving the same character (the servant) rather than an actual contrast between two separate, good and bad characters (Blomberg, C. (2001). Vol. 22: Matthew (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (368). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.).
In verse 45, Jesus presents an analogy using the familiar imagery of a trusted servant/slave whom his master set over/put in charge of feeding the entire household. The very word “then” indicates the connection with the immediately preceding; as if to say, “such readiness implies faithfulness.” (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (871). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
The particular responsibility of the slave is incidental to Jesus’ point, which is that every believer is a servant/slave of Jesus Christ and therefore obligated to serve Him in every way. Every believer has been given a divine stewardship and responsibility in the work of Christ on earth, and in that stewardship he or she is to be faithful and wise/sensible. For the first time in this Gospel, the adjective faithful is used; it will be used again in 25:21, 23. Various translations render it “obedient” or “dependable.”( Newman, B. M., & Stine, P. C. (1992). A handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. UBS helps for translators; UBS handbook series (760). New York: United Bible Societies )
• Sine God is a god of His word, we must be people of our word. When we say we are going to do something, it should be so. People should be able to depend on what we say. God expects us to not be up and down in our commitments and activity for Him.
• Our life, breath, energy, talents, spiritual gifts, and every other good thing we have are trusts from God to be used in His service and to His glory.
Jesus had previously talked about this stewardship to the Church.
Please turn back to Matthew 16
A change of metaphor highlighted the responsible role Peter will play in the development of this new ekklçsia. Taking up the imagery of Isa 22:20–22, Jesus declares Peter to be the steward (the chief administrative officer) in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 16:19 [19]I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (ESV)
• The steward is not the owner. He has both authority (over the rest of the household) and responsibility (to his master to administer the affairs of the house properly). Like Joseph in Potiphar’s house in Egypt (Gen. 39:4), a servant is set over his master’s household, with an assignment to see that everyone is fed properly.
• The keys are those of the storehouses, to enable him to make appropriate provision for the household (Cf. the role of the steward in 24:45; also Luke 16:1–8.), not those of the outer gate, to control admission. The plural “keys” is more suited to the steward than to the porter controlling a single entrance.
• The traditional portrayal of Peter as porter at the pearly gates depends on misunderstanding “the kingdom of heaven” here as a designation of the afterlife rather than denoting God’s rule among his people on earth.
• The metaphor of “tying up” and “untying” speaks also of administrative authority. When the same commission is given to the whole disciple group in 18:18 it will be specifically in the context of dealing with sin within their community. Such authority to declare what is and is not permissible. The focus of the “tying” metaphor, and there, as here, the objects of both verbs will be expressed in the neuter, not the masculine; it is things, issues, which are being tied or untied, not people as such (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (625–627). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co).
For Matthew, the parable tells a story of life in Jesus’ household, God’s people on earth are called a household (Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19). God has put servants over each household to feed the members. This suggests to us the local church family with its spiritual leaders. The purpose of spiritual leadership is that the leaders feed the people, with a particular focus on the way servant-leaders in the church carry out their calling (cf. 1 Cor. 3:5–9; 4:1–2; 1 Pet. 5:1–5; 1 Tim. 3:2–3, 8, 14–15; Titus 1:7–9) (Gardner, R. B. (1991). Matthew. Believers church Bible commentary (352). Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press.).
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 [4:1]This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. [2]Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. (ESV)
We might think of the daily distribution of food, which got to be such a big job that it was committed to the seven deacons (Acts 6:1–6). And we think of Jesus’ charge to Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). But the application of this parable need not be restricted to ordained ministers. Jesus says to all Christians that the proper way to be prepared for the Last Day is to carry out your God-given responsibilities faithfully. Feed your family (Albrecht, G. J., & Albrecht, M. J. (1996). Matthew. The People’s Bible (355–356). Milwaukee, Wis.: Northwestern Pub. House.).
Paul puts it very bluntly:
1 Timothy 5:8 [8]But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (ESV)
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).
• Wisdom is not merely knowing what needs to be done. Wisdom is doing the hard work of the kingdom of God.
Illustration: "Character"
A middle-aged business executive once approached the front entrance of the office building in which he worked. A young feminist came up at the same moment, so he stepped back and held the door open for her to pass on through. She looked at him and said with annoyance, “Don’t hold the door for me just because I’m a lady.” To her surprise, he looked right back and replied, “I’m not. I’m holding it open because I’m a gentleman.” (Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
• A Faithful and wise servant does the right thing regardless of what others think.
Second:
b) The Complement to the Faithful & Wise Servant (Matthew 24:46)
Matthew 24:46 [46]Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. (ESV)
Please turn to Revelation 2
Blessed is that servant/slave, Jesus says in verse 46, whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Such “blessedness” means that the servant upon whom the words of approval, congratulation, and cheer are pronounced is the object of his master’s special favor, is a delight to him. Moreover, the clause “whom his master will find so doing” shows that the proper attitude on the part of the one who awaits the master’s return is active service in the interest of those whom the master has entrusted to him. this means that the proper spirit in which believers should eagerly await as Savior the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20) is not the feverish nervousness of certain Thessalonians (II Thess. 2:1, 2; 3:6–12), nor the nauseating lukewarmness of the Laodiceans (Rev. 3:14–22), but the active faithfulness of the Smyrniots (Rev. 2:8–11).
Revelation 2:8-11 [8]"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ’The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. [9]"’I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [10]Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. [11]He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ (ESV)
• Here, as in Matthew 24:46, Jesus is obviously addressing believers, those who have submitted to Him as Savior and Lord, as divine master. (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (872). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
Illustration: Christ, Return of
The Lord told us not only to wait for him but to watch for him, and he has pronounced a special blessing on those who watch. The difference between waiting and watching is illustrated in a story told of a Scotch fishing village.
After days at sea, the skipper of a fishing boat was bringing his craft back home. As the boat neared the shore, the men gazed eagerly toward the dock, where a group of their loved ones were waiting. The skipper, looking through his glass, identified some of the women, saying, “I see Bill’s Mary, and there is Tom’s Margaret, and David’s Anne.” One man was very anxious because his wife was not there. He left the boat with a heavy heart and pressed his steps up the hill, where he saw a light in his cottage. As he opened the door, his wife ran to meet him, saying, “I have been waiting for you.” He replied, “Yes, but the other men’s wives were watching for them.” (Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
Finally:
c) The Commendation to the Faithful & Wise Servant (Matthew 24:47)
Matthew 24:47 [47]Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. (ESV)
The believer who is found faithful to the Lord in what they have been given will be set over/be given charge of all of the Lord’s possessions, having inherited the absolute fullness of the kingdom of God as a fellow heir of Jesus Christ
Romans 8:16-17 [16]The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17]and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV) (see also. ch. 19:28; Rom. 8:32; Rev. 2:26; 3:21)
• In place of a temporary commission in his master’s absence the faithful and wise servant will be promoted to a permanent and very responsible role as steward. The reward for responsible service is greater responsibility, not an easing of the master’s demands (cf. 25:21.23) (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (944). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
Please turn over to Matthew 25
Just as in the parable the master, upon his return, rewards his faithful servant by setting him over all his possessions, so also Jesus himself at his glorious coming shall bestow upon all his faithful ones a high degree of glory and honor. Cf. 25:21, 23, 34–40; Luke 19:17, 19.
Matthew 25:23, 34-40 [23]His master said to him, ’Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ [34]Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35]For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36]I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37]Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38]And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39]And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40]And the King will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (ESV)
Illustration: Reward, Eternal
C.S. Lewis once said: “We must not be troubled by unbelievers when they say that this promise of reward makes the Christian life a mercenary affair. There are different kinds of reward. There is the reward which has no natural connection with the things you do to earn it, and is quite foreign to the desires that ought to accompany those things. Money is not the natural reward of love; that is why we call a man a mercenary if he married a woman for the sake of her money. But marriage is the proper reward for a real lover, and he is not mercenary for desiring it.
The proper rewards are not simply tacked on to the activity for which they are given, but are the activity itself in consummation (C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory [New York: Macmillan, 1980]).
In exercising heavenly wisdom we see the contrast between the 1) Faithful & Wise servant (Matthew 24:44-47) from the Foolish 2) Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:48-51). First,
a) The Creed of the Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:48)
Matthew 24:48 [48]But if that wicked servant says to himself, ’My master is delayed,’ (ESV)
There is a mistaken belief in foolishness. Unbelievers, represented by the wicked servant/evil slave in verse 48, will also be held responsible for what they do with their stewardship from God. The evil conduct of the wicked servant springs from unbelief, which, however, in his official position, he can utter only in his heart. But his unbelief is specifically unbelief in regard to the coming of the Lord and His award (Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures : Matthew (435). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.).
Please turn to 2 Peter 3
During this end time, some unbelievers will remain openly sinful and rebellious against God, caring nothing for His truth or His mercy. Others will be aware of their lost condition and of their need of a Savior but will put off believing, thinking they will have time after fulfilling their own selfish interests but before He comes in judgment. They will say by their lives if not by their words, My master is delayed/not coming for a long time.
• That is the temptation and to give way to indulge in fleshly appetites or to pride of superior intellect. Within a generation scoffers will be asking where is the promise of the coming of Christ (Robertson, A. (1997). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Mt 24:48). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.).
2 Peter 3:2-18 [2]that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, [3]knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. [4]They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." [5]For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, [6]and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. [7]But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [8]But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9]The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. [10]But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. [11]Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, [12]waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! [13]But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. [14]Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. [15]And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, [16]as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. [17]You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. [18]But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (ESV)
• The foolish wicked will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ ” It always seems like that to unbelievers. Jesus has not returned yet, so they are careless. But, says Peter, they “deliberately forget” that God judged the world in ancient times by water and that he has promised to do so again by fire at the final day (vv. 5–7). Besides, “with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (v. 8). What seems delayed to us is not a delay with him. Therefore, says Peter, “Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position” (v. 17) (Boice, J. M. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (520). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.).
Poem: Horatius Bonar wrote in his poem: "Don’t Tarry Lord"
Come, Lord, and tarry not;
Bring the long-looked-for day;
O why these years of waiting here,
These ages of delay?
Come, for Thy saints still wait;
Daily ascends their sigh;
The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’:
Dost Thou not hear the cry?
Come, for creation groans,
Impatient of Thy stay,
Worn out with these long years of ill,
These ages of delay.
Come, and make all things new;
Build up this ruined earth;
Restore our faded Paradise,
Creation’s second birth.
Come, and begin Thy reign
Of everlasting peace;
Come, take Thy Kingdom to Thyself,
Great King of Righteousness.
(Horatius Bonar as found in Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)
Second:
b) The Conduct of the Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:49)
Matthew 24:49 [49]and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, (ESV)
Flowing from the mistaken belief that the master is slow in coming is the foolish conduct.
A lack of love, resulting in the abuse of power (begins to beat his fellow servants) and in self-indulgence (drinks with the drunken), describes the sin of the “wicked servant.” (Newman, B. M., & Stine, P. C. (1992). A handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. UBS helps for translators; UBS handbook series (762). New York: United Bible Societies.)
Please turn to Matthew 18
In verse 49, Jesus is teaching that every person in the world holds his life, possessions, and abilities in trust from God, whether or not they acknowledge that trust or even acknowledges God. Everyone will therefore be held accountable by their Creator for how they use what he they been given. The mistreatment mentioned with this servant who begins to beat his fellow servants, is parallel to that truth is seen in the parable of the king recorded in Matthew 18:23–34.
Matthew 18:23-34 [23]"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. [24]When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25]And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26]So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ’Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ [27]And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. [28]But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ’Pay what you owe.’ [29]So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ’Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ [30]He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. [31]When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. [32]Then his master summoned him and said to him, ’You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. [33]And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ [34]And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. (ESV)
The evil activities Jesus continues to mention in Matthew 24:49, the beating of fellow servants/slaves and eating and drinking with drunkards, are not meant to characterize every unbeliever. But are meant to characterize those activities and attitudes that many have. Because they think the Lord will not come for a long time, they will feel free to indulge themselves in whatever sins and pleasures they desire.
Illustration: Eternal Life
B. J. Honeycutt, a character on the T.V. series “M.A.S.H.,” gave this reason for why he didn’t give in to temptation in the midst of the Korean War: “I live in an insane world where nothing makes sense. Everyone around me lives for the now, because there may not be a tomorrow. But I have to live for tomorrow, because for me there is no now.”
For B. J., his hope for the future was seeing his family again. That hope was sufficient to define how he would behave in an extremely difficult situation. How much more so should our future hope of the kingdom of God shape how we live? (Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
Third, we see:
c) The Catching of the Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:50)
Matthew 24:50 [50]the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know (ESV)
Since the foolish wicked servant had a mistaken belief, and resulting poor conduct, they are unprepared for the master’s unexpected return. In this case the master will not come as Savior and King to bless and to reward but will come as Judge and Executioner to condemn and to destroy.
Neither slave knew when the master would return, but for the first slave that did not matter because he was ready at any time. It is only the irresponsible who need worry about the parousia, and yet it is precisely they who do not worry about it, and will suffer as a result (France, R. T. (2007). The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (945). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co.).
Illustration: Christ, Return of
Mexican jails are not known for their tidiness or orderliness. Shortly after having taken office, the then President of Mexico, Luis Echeverria, decided to do something about this. Without giving any advance notice, he chose to visit the jails at midnight. He found guards away from their posts, prisoners not taken care of, and other discrepancies between the expectations and reality. He proceeded to fire people and clean up the system.
• We never know when our Lord may come. Let us not be lax in our responsibilities so that the Lord finds us lacking (Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Biblical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor’s illustration file). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
Finally we see:
d) The Condemnation of the Wicked Servant (Matthew 24:51)
Matthew 24:51 [51]and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The foolish wicked servant had a mistaken belief, and resulting poor conduct, were unprepared for the master’s unexpected return, displeasure and condemnation.
The Master’s actions, as it says in verse 51 are to cut the unbelieving servant/slave in pieces and put him with/assign him a place with the hypocrites in eternal fire.
The phrase cut … in pieces is from dichotomeô from which we get the work dichotomize which literally means to cut into two parts. It is used in that strict sense in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in regard to the preparation of an animal sacrifice (Ex. 29:17). To Jews it would therefore carry the unmistakable idea of destruction and death.
A hypocrite he was indeed, for he had accepted and then betrayed the confidence which his master had placed in him. When he was appointed, he had done nothing to (refute) his superior of the idea, “This man will be a faithful and sensible household manager.” Yet he had proved to be the very opposite (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (873). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.).
Just as today, many people in the end time will be open and honest about their unbelief, even wearing such honesty as a badge of intellectual and moral integrity. But honest unbelievers are just as lost as hypocrites who pretend to have faith. They will go to the same place as the religious phonies they feel superior to and despise.
As Jesus has just previously mentioned in Matthew 24:30
Matthew 24:30 [30]Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (ESV)
• When He appears, the same magnificent glory and power that will draw His own people to Him in loving gratitude will repel most unbelievers in hateful indignation. For the former it will be the time of final reception and redemption; for the latter it will be the time of final rejection and judgment.
All unbelievers-those who completely reject the Lord and those who think one day they will trust in Him, those who are honest in their unbelief and those who are hypocritical in their faith-will suffer the same destiny of hell. In that place Jesus continues in Matthew 24:51, there will be weeping … and the gnashing of teeth, figures representing inconsolable grief and unremitting torment. This weeping is that of inconsolable, never-ending wretchedness, and utter, everlasting hopelessness. The accompanying grinding or gnashing of teeth denotes excruciating pain and frenzied anger (cf. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 21:41; 22:13; 25:30, 41, 46). (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953-2001). Vol. 9: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew. New Testament Commentary (874). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
The thrust of Jesus’ warning is not simply to inform unbelievers about the horror of facing an eternal hell but to use that dreadful prospect as a motive for believing in Him in order to escape it. His appeal is to believe while there is opportunity, rather than foolishly wait for a supposedly more propitious time that might never come and might not be taken advantage of if it did come.
Illustration: The danger of spiritual procrastination:
There is a fable which tells of three apprentice devils who were coming to this earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the chief of the devils, about their plans to tempt and to rain men. The first said, “I will tell them that there is no God.” Satan said, “That will not delude many, for they know that there is a God.” The second said, “I will tell men that there is no hell.” Satan answered, “You will deceive no one that way; men know even now that there is a hell for sin.” The third said, “I will tell men that there is no hurry.” “Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin men by the thousand.” The most dangerous of all delusions is that there is plenty of time. (William Barclay: The Gospel of Matthew, vol. 2 [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975], p. 317)
(Format note: Some base commentary from MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (Mt 24:43). Chicago: Moody Press.)
