After a time, the lord of those servants comes to reckon with them. To the one that received five talents, he had gained five more. The one with two talents, he likewise gained another two. But sadly, the one who only received one talent buried his talent. Digged that talent in the earth so that it was hid from the world around him.
In concluding, the lord in the parable says unto the first and the second, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:21)
But as we read, this joyful response was not told to the servant who hid his talent in the ground. Given that this particular parable is preached often, I won't try to explain its underlying meaning. Rather, it might be instructive to focus on how the apostles/disciples of Jesus in speaking unto the church[es] of God, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus (called to be saints), with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, disseminated the gospel. (I Corinthians 1:1-2)
Certainly, the scriptures offer a range of examples. For instance, when the apostles were commanded not to teach or preach in the name of Jesus, did they stop? Not a chance. Water baptism? In the name of Jesus. Signs and wonders? In the name of Jesus. Healings? In the name of Jesus. Casting out demons? In the name of Jesus.
Further, whenever the apostles entered a city, they were known to cause division. Either the apostles were hated by the people for preaching Jesus, or loved. In those days, there was no place for sitting on the fence. Believers were either fully committed to preaching the gospel or they were not. Indeed, these knew from whence came their salvation, and were willing to lose their earthly life for their Saviour.
Paul wrote to the faithful in Christ Jesus at Ephesus, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and set [Him] at His own right hand in the heavenly [places] ... which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:1-23)
Paul wrote more but you get the point. The problem is that today, too often, we hurriedly bury the talent that we have been given. And so that we don't look conspicuous in our profession of faith, the devil has invented a modern day religious culture that downplays the importance of going into the highways and byways, and the hedges, preaching the gospel of our Lord and Saviour.
Lately, the religious culture has taken on a new stance, further intimidating (or inhibiting) those who speak the truth of the gospel, by suggesting that those who boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ are not being kind to their fellow man. Or, as I was reminded last evening, offering opinions -- even though those very opinions are deeply rooted within the scriptures themselves, should anyone have taken the time to read them.
Which brings me to the example of a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria. He was described as an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. Still, he spoke boldly in the synagogue.
But when Aquila and Priscilla had heard this, they took Apollos aside unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace. For he mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 19:24-28)
In this example, we see two examples of how the apostles/disciples shared the gospel. In the first, Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and expounded unto him the way of God "more perfectly." (Acts 18:26) Up until then, Apollos was happily sharing the gospel fervently in the spirit, teaching diligently the things of the Lord that he knew. But at that time he knew only the baptism of John -- unto repentance, whereby the baptism in water only cleansed the outside.
Had repentance been sufficient, there would have been no need for Aquila and Priscilla to take Apollos aside. Neither would the scriptures state that these two did so in order to expound unto him the way of God more perfectly. Why? Because he only had a portion of the gospel. He did not know that John the baptist pointed to Jesus, telling everyone that he (John) must decrease so that Jesus could increase.
In fact, Apollos did not know that this same Jesus -- spoken of by John the baptist -- who was to come after him was mightier than John, or that "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire ..." (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 2:3-4)
Even so, Apollos did not hide his talent. Aquila and Priscilla found him preaching the portion of the gospel he did know. Did these leave him with a half truth? Of course not. Aquila and Priscilla never left him in darkness. These took Apollos aside so that he would know the truth. The good news gospel and the way of God more perfectly.
And, in turn, what did Apollos do next?
"And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace. For he mightily convinced the Jews and that publickly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." (Acts 19:24-28)
Say that again. He mightily convinced the Jews publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was indeed the promised Christ. (Acts 19:28)
Not taken aside, but shown the scriptures publicly that would lead the Jews to believe that Jesus was the Christ that was prophesied in the old testament. The very same message that Peter (standing with the eleven) taught on the day of Pentecost, when the believers were filled with the Holy Ghost and fire.
That is, this same Jesus whom the people crucified, was (and is) both Lord and Christ. And, when they asked the apostles what they must do in Acts 2, Peter told them to "repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:36-39)
Just like Apollos was even more fervent in preaching the gospel message of Jesus the Christ, the first 3,000 believers were gladly water baptized in the name of their Saviour Jesus. And as we learn, from that day, these continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, and fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles, and all that believed were together and had all things common. (Acts 2:36-45)
These new believers continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:46-47)
Just like Apollos gladly received the rest of the gospel when he learned that the One who came after John was greater than John. In today's world, we need to diligently search the scriptures, for therein lies our salvation.
Therefore, instead of running away from the precious Word of God, maybe it's time that we opened the scriptures for our learning and edification. Why? So that we can also tell those around us about the amazing love story wrapped up in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. So that we can be fully clothed in His righteousness. His mercy. His grace. His precious love that included the shedding of His precious holy blood on a cross so that we might experience life more abundantly.
Not by burying our talents, but using our talents to ensure that the salvation of others is sealed in His righteousness too. The righteousness of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
This is why Paul wrote: "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God ... that a man be found faithful ..." (I Corinthians 4:1-2)
Walk in the way of His steps. Stand in the offering plate.
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