Read: Matthew 25:14-30
Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you.
Luke 24:49a
Human wisdom, commentaries, preaching and teaching are useful, but nothing compares to Christ’s teaching and the Holy Spirit opening our eyes as we humbly and prayerfully read God’s Word. In Luke 24 the risen Jesus anchors our mission in two inseparable truths: “repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations” (Luke 24:47, CSB), and “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you” (Luke 24:49a, NKJV). Word and Spirit together. We come with repentance and faith, and He gives understanding and power.
Last month, many of us celebrated Christ’s first advent. The parable of the talents turns our minds to His second. In the story a “talent” is entrusted value, not simply a remarkable ability. Every disciple receives something to steward. Time, relationships, skills, opportunities, resources, spiritual gifts. All from the Master’s hand. Resist comparison. We are one body, and each of us has a part to play.
Yet we all know how easily excuses creep in. We downplay what we have, fear failing, or hide behind busyness. J. C. Ryle puts it starkly: “The Bible-despiser, the prayer-neglecter and the Sabbath-breaker… the money-lover, the self-indulgent; all are alike burying their Lord’s money in the ground.” It is a serious warning. God’s gifts are not for storage. They are for investment in His kingdom.
None of this means we earn salvation. Those of us who know and love the Lord know that we are saved by grace. No number of good acts can purchase our forgiveness. But grace does not make us passive. Grace awakens love. Love obeys. By the Spirit we are being transformed to become more like Christ, and that transformation shows itself in faithful service.
Jesus also reminds us that there is a delay. The Master was “a long time” in returning. We do not know how long we have until we stand before Him, or until He returns, but we do know there will be a day of accounting. What will He find? A good return. A little interest. Or the gift left unused, buried in the soil like the servant’s talent, untouched and untraded.
Over the last couple of days we have looked at Abram and David. Abram stepped into the unknown, trusting God’s promise to bless the nations. David longed to build, and God promised to build his house. They obeyed; God established. Today, we see that in Christ those promises come to fulfilment. Paul says the blessing promised to Abraham flows to the Gentiles through Jesus, so that we receive the promised Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14). Luke tells us the Son of David will be great, will be called the Son of the Most High, and will reign on David’s throne forever (Luke 1:32–33). The Abrahamic and Davidic promises reach their goal in Christ, and He now gives us “the Promise” of the Father, the Holy Spirit, to empower faithful stewardship in the present.
The question is not whether you have enough talent. The question is whether you will trust the Giver and trade what He has entrusted. Like me, you may have had seasons when you used your gifts more, and seasons when you buried them. This new year, let us dig up anything hidden and set it to work again, while keeping current investments active. Feed the hungry. Share the Good News with friends, family and neighbours. Practise hospitality. Encourage the weary. Pray faithfully. Give generously. Serve in your church. None of us will do every task, but all of us can do something.
Work with the Spirit’s power to seek the greatest possible return for God’s glory and for the good of an unbelieving world. The promise to Abraham and to David is fulfilled in Jesus. The Promise of the Father has been sent by Jesus. Use the gift.
