Stewards in God's Household

Strange transition?

Gospels this week, so far:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees … “

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday!

Today (Thursday) we have:

The prudent householder (master of the house),

The faithful and prudent servant.

Parts missing from the story

The journey to Jerusalem

All of Matthew’s Gospel

from Galilee

to Caesarea Philippi

to Jerusalem

In Jerusalem

Triumphal entry,

disputes with Jerusalem authorities,

“woes” to the scribes and pharisees,

finally,

Jesus prepares the disciples for the final days of his ministry and beyond.

Signs of the End of the Age Mt 24:3-14

The Abomination of Desolation Mt 24:15-28

The Lesson of the Fig Tree Mt 24:29-35

No One Knows That Day and Hour Mt 24:36-41

Today’s Passage

Mt 24:42-51

“Therefore, stay awake … “

AND

“be prudent stewards.”

The Jerome Biblical Commentary The Gospel - According to Matthew, Section 174

although the parable is certainly eschatological, its primary reference is to those who have authority in the Church and are the stewards of the goods of the Church.

The Jerome Biblical Commentary The Gospel - According to Matthew, Section 174

It is their duty to dispense these goods, which are not their own but have been entrusted to them precisely so that they may be dispensed

JL McKenzie

Why have this review?

Most of us here know that we are stewards of God’s household,

but, seeing this parable and these sayings in the light of their setting days before Jesus’ passion and death

increases the urgency and imperative of Jesus’s teaching.

You could even call it his plea to the disciples, ie, us, to aim to have the same love and care for his community that Jesus had.

If you think Jesus spoke harshly to the scribes and pharisees

That’s nothing compared to what he reserves for the ‘wicked servant’

‘punish severely’ is dichotomize (διχοτομήσει, lit, bisect, cut in two)

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition Chapter 24

διχοτομήσει

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume διχοτομέω

In Mt. 24:51 the reference is obviously to punishment. Behind the term, which means “to cleave,” is the ancient penalty of cutting in two with the sword or saw.

Prayer

May God so strengthen and guide that we always remain his prudent and faithful servants.