Day 11: Obedience is the Hallmark of a Disciple

Gretchen Vaught

Matthew 25 is a chapter rich in symbolism! It begins with the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, proceeds into the parable of the talents, and ends with a picture of the judgment. 

Let’s look more closely at how these familiar stories fit together.

“All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:32 – AMP)

After this verse, the chapter goes on to describe the character of the sheep. They were the ones who ministered to the needs of “the least of these” versus those who chose not to be bothered. The latter group, the goats, will go away into eternal punishment—the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [verses 41 and 46]

Notice that the shepherd is the one who separates the sheep from the goats. He knows the character of his disciples. We see this proven in Matthew 25, where the master gives talents to each (servant) in proportion to his own personal ability. [verse 15]

He gives the servants an opportunity to invest his money, then he goes away for a long time [verse 19]. He expected them to recognize the value of what he was offering them, and to bring him a return. [verse 27]

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 is about money. Remember that Jesus said, Where your profits are, there your heart will be also. [Matthew 6:21, NLT] But the examples within the Bible are so dynamic that we can see this principle applies to everything Creator God has given us, including our talents. Our Heavenly Father expects us to recognize the value of what He placed inside you and me and to bring Him a return in proportion to our own personal ability. It’s not an over-statement to say that our obedience to His expectation that we each will use our talents—both money and attributes—is indicative of our character. 

To express this another way, true disciples of Jesus—the sheep—actively do what the master expects. [James 2:26]

Consider the heroes of our childhood Bible stories. 

• What would have happened if Esther had merely believed she was blessed to become queen of Persia, but failed to use her authority to shed light on the persecution of God’s people? 
• What would have happened if Daniel merely believed he was lucky to be the king’s trusted advisor, but had kept his devotion to Israel’s God secret, behaving outwardly just like the Babylonians? 
• What would have happened if David had kept his annoyance with Goliath’s blaspheme to himself, just complaining about it to his friends and flock? 

Each of these people took a risk, and their actions brought a return of glory to the Lord. James 2:18-26 and Hebrews 11 further emphasize the truth that “faith” without works is void.

So, we know that the character of a disciple of Jesus is someone who takes action based on his faith in God. 

Is it possible to be weak in faith? The parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 indicates that it is! The ones who were unprepared (through failure to act) were permanently rejected. Matthew 25:12, 29 and 46, the summarizing statements of each of the three stories of this chapter, should jolt us out of any spiritual complacency because we see that eternity is at stake.

Current events in our world seem to clearly illustrate a separation of sheep and goats, as this chapter describes. This should excite us and motivate us to resolve to be people of action now. Where do we start? 

First, we need to remind ourselves that it’s Creator God who knit us together in our mothers’ wombs [Psalm 139:13]. He is the one who gives us both talents and opportunities to use them. Who made Esther beautiful? Who made Daniel wise? Who made David strong? Who made you?

Second, we need to spend some time taking stock of what the Lord has invested in us, personally. Maybe you’re lacking in confidence and don’t know what talents He’s gifted you with. If this is your situation, you can start by reconciling with your identity in Christ. Read the book of John and make notes about how John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples described Jesus. Make your own notes about the type of person you understand Him to be. Then, if you’ve accepted His gift of salvation, remind yourself that you are adopted into the family of God and through the blood of Jesus Christ, you are heir to His characteristics and power! 

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Read Romans 8—the resurrection power of Jesus Christ has freed you from the law of sin and death, so that you are now victorious! You are no longer a fearful slave, but a son or daughter who can call God, “Abba (Father)!”

While you read His Word and pray and learn to hear His voice for yourself, keep a running list of the things He reveals to you about how He uniquely designed you. Describe yourself using Abba’s adjectives in your own hearing and dare to believe Him.

Reading and rereading the Word of God will build up your faith—you’ll be prepared to face life like the wise virgins who kept their lamps full. Truth will bring life to your spirit; it will solidify your confidence in who you are—a sheep of the Good Shepherd and heir to, not just salvation, but also joy in this life. Being a sheep doesn’t mean your life will be easy. On the contrary, Jesus promised that we would have trouble in this world [John 16:33]—just look how the world treated Him! But, each time negative thoughts threaten to upend your faith, you’ll be able to speak out what the master says about you—your True identity.

Then, when the opportunities of life come to invest your talents, you’ll know what to do. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, CSB)