Ennathinks

The Mount Olivet discourse is a very important part of Matthew’s gospel. Many treat it as a neat chronology of last‑day events. But more than that, we need to see why it was written.

Many biblical scholars place Matthew in the same period as Peter’s writings. Peter’s epistles, the general epistles, and the Gospels of Mark and Matthew were written when networks of Jewish churches were facing fierce persecution and many Jewish believers were going back to Judaism. To stop this attrition and to strengthen them, these writings were intended by the authors.

More Than a Timeline

With this author’s intention, the Olivet discourse is not a mere timetable of things to happen in the future. It is written to the churches so that they will live continuously expecting the return of Jesus Christ. If we understand this, then the parables mentioned in Matthew 24:45–25:46 give a different lesson to the church. In Matthew 24:44 Jesus concludes by saying, “So you too must be ready! The Son of Man is coming at a time you don’t expect.” How should we live during the period between Jesus’ ascension and His return in glory? The leaders of the churches and the Jewish believers were encouraged to continue, to excel, and to live the faith—not to leave the faith.

The Work: Feeding, Not Controlling

Then He tells the parable of a slave (Mt. 24:45–51). Jesus makes this statement: “Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.” What work? The previous verse explains that the slave gives the other slaves their meals at the right time. The leader’s job is to teach people and equip them so that they will remain in the faith.

Juxtaposing this with the Petrine writings, there are several occasions where leaders are instructed to take care of the community. Some of the prominent teachings are:

• 1 Peter 5:1–3 – “Do the proper work of a shepherd as you look after God’s flock which has been entrusted to you, not under compulsion, but gladly, as in God’s presence, not for shameful profit but eagerly.”
• Hebrews 13:17 – “They are keeping watch over your lives, you see, as people who will have to give account.”

Taken together, the primary responsibility of the shepherd, elder, pastor‑teacher is to equip people so that they will remain steady in faith—expressed as “feeding” in this parable. The master will reward the faithful shepherds who help the sheep in their own fold to remain vibrant in faith.

If you are in any leading influence, then ask the question: Am I helping people to remain vibrant in their faith? Am I faithfully fulfilling my equipping role till Jesus returns?

The Danger of Misreading the Delay

But then the story turns. The slave thinks that the master is delayed. The delay is not accidental but part of the plan. Why is Jesus delaying His return? Is it because of situations and circumstances? No. It is part of the plan. Through the delay He is revealing His long patience, and in this delay the church will continue to establish and expand His kingdom by discipling people from all the nations. If we don’t understand the intention of the delay, and like the servant we think it is taking too long, then something dangerous happens.

When Leaders Start Exploiting

He starts to beat the other slaves (v. 49)—sheer exploitation of the congregation. “You should not lord it over those for whom you are responsible, but rather be an example to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). Is this not happening in our congregations? The leaders who are appointed to equip people are sapping them financially, physically, and even mentally. Holistic exploitation happening all around the globe—and it is a plain fact in India.

Recently I heard an incident. A Bishop of one of the denominational churches visited a rural area. The local pastor didn’t keep any flex banners to welcome the Bishop. So he called the local pastor and inquired about the absence of the banners. The local pastor replied, “Why should we waste the offering money given by poor and middle‑class people?” The Bishop was obviously not happy and threatened the local pastor to “face the consequences.”

Structural, systematic exploitation—because they feel that Jesus’ return is getting delayed.

Notice: this is not a slave outside of the community or church, but within the church. This story is not about church leaders versus leaders of the world. No. It is about leaders within the church. Some are faithful and equip people. Others start exploiting. The story also says he begins “to feast and drink with the drunkards.” The shepherd who is called to equip people is having a fantastic relationship with the world and starts aligning to worldly principles rather than to the principles of Christ. The leaders who are called to be examples to the flock are doing a tango dance with the world. Worldly principles have influenced the church leaders so much that they are pleasure‑seeking, power‑broking leaders instead of servants who follow Christ’s principles.

The Day of Accountability

But the story doesn’t end here. It says the master “will come on a day he doesn’t expect, and at a time he doesn’t know.” Unexpected—because the slave didn’t understand the process of delay. A time which no one knows. Then the master will judge the slave. The judgment expressed in the story sounds very severe, but that is the point:

leaders who are called to equip the flock, yet act abusively, exploitatively, and live according to worldly principles during the delay of Christ’s return, will face harsh judgment.

Keeping this in mind, James is right—absolutely right—when he says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters; you know that we will be judged more severely” (James 3:1).

So the question hangs over us: Are you equipping—or exploiting?