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.’ – Matthew 25:21
The U.S. Armed Forces give out numerous awards and commendations, including ribbons, medals, badges, and patches, which outwardly display the highlights of a military service career. Often such commendations are given because of acts of heroism and other meritorious service. Those who were the bravest and most selfless in combat receive the highest awards for valor: the Silver Cross, the Silver Star, and the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is presented by the president in the name of the Congress of the United States.
Today’s verse, recorded by Matthew, comes from Jesus’ parable on the talents. It illustrates how what God has given, whether little or much, is to be used in His service and for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This passage is often employed in sermons on stewardship. The Master is Jesus, and the servants are believers who are entrusted with carrying forth the Gospel and taking care of the Church. Those in the parable who did well receive the master’s commendation, “Well done. … Enter into the joy of your master.” Commentator Matthew Henry said, “What charge we receive from God, what work we do for God in this world, is but little, very little, compared with the joy set before us.” While joy is present today, it will be amplified when Christ Jesus returns.
Theologian and Professor of Divinity William Barclay said, “The reward of work well done is still more work to do. The two servants who had done well are not told to lean back and rest on their oars because they have done well. They are given greater tasks and greater responsibilities in the work of the master.” Echoing Jesus’ words from John 9:4, an old hymn from 1854 includes the lyrics, “Work for the night is coming, when man works no more.” So be courageous and make use of what God has given you. Then you also will receive the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master.”
Today’s Verse: Matthew 25:21
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.’
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 25:14-30
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 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.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 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.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
