Three Interconnected Parables

Maidens & Oil Lamps, Servants & Talents, Sheep & Goats

As usual, we’ve taken this whole chapter in three parts. This third parable is easily the best-known of the three. It’s certainly the one I’ve written about, preached on, and dwelt upon the most. Standing alone, it’s quite familiar: when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.

But what is this parable in the context of the whole section and in light of the two other parables that immediately precede it?

When we remember that the disciples had asked a question about the signs of the times, precipitating these three illustrations, it sets a stage. They were then all spoken in one sitting as Jesus prepared his disciples for life in the in-between, the time between his departure and his return.

First came the story of the ten maidens. Their job was to keep lamps burning while they waited for the groom. The point? Diligence and readiness. Faith isn’t about predicting the hour of Christ’s return but about keeping our lives lit with watchfulness.

Then came the parable of the talents. The servants were entrusted with what belonged to the master, and two invested boldly while one buried his gift in fear. The point? Stewardship and dutifulness. Faith isn’t about playing it safe but about trusting God’s abundance enough to put what we’ve been given to work.

Then we come to today’s parable: the sheep and goats. Nations are gathered before the throne, and the surprise is that Christ has been among them the whole time. “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.” The point? Compassion and mercy. In this context, faith isn’t about knowing the right doctrine but about loving Christ in the hungry, the sick, the stranger, the prisoner. Salvation doesn’t come from saying the right prayer, but doing the right thing. (Put that in your Protestant Pipe and smoke it!)

In the end, Jesus isn’t giving us three different messages, but one: Be ready, be faithful, and be merciful. Waiting for Christ is not passive. It’s a lamp kept burning, a gift put to work, and a life poured out in mercy.

Matthew 25:31-46

“Now when the Human One comes in his majesty and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his majestic throne. All the nations will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them from each other, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right side. But the goats he will put on his left.

“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’

“Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.”

Psalm 112:1, 4-9

Praise the Lord! Those who honor the Lord, who adore God’s commandments, are truly happy!

They shine in the dark for others who do right.
They are merciful, compassionate, and righteous.
Those who lend generously are good people—
as are those who conduct their affairs with justice.
Yes, these sorts of people will never be shaken;
the righteous will be remembered forever!
They won’t be frightened at bad news.
Their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are firm; they aren’t afraid.
In the end, they will witness their enemies’ defeat.
They give freely to those in need.
Their righteousness stands forever.
Their strength increases gloriously.

Prayer

God,

Keep me ready.
Make me faithful.
Move me to compassionate love.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.