The Scripture has several words translated
"right"
and the usage of the term,
"right hand"
ranges from a direction, to the
opposite of wrong,
what is just or what conforms to an established standard,
and to a place of honor or authority. In the case of division or appointment in the Bible, the right hand or right side came first, as when Israel (Jacob) divided the blessings to Joseph’s sons before he died
(Genesis 48:13-14).
In addition, a person of high rank who put someone on his right hand gave him equal honor with himself and recognized him as possessing equal dignity and authority. And
this is what the Apostle Paul writes
of Jesus Christ in Ephesians. "
And what is the
surpassing greatness of His power toward us,
the ones believing according to
the working of His mighty strength which
He worked in Christ in raising Him
from the dead,
and He seated Him at
His right hand
in the heavenlies, far above
all principality
and authority and power and dominion,
and every name being named,
not only in this world,
but also in the coming age"
(Ephesians 1:19-21).
Here we see God exalting Jesus
above all others
by seating Him
at the right hand of the Father.
The term "God’s right hand"
in prophecy refers to the Messiah to whom
is given the power and authority
to subdue His enemies
(Psalm 110:1; Psalm 118:16).
We find a quote in Matthew 22:44 from Psalm 110:1, which is a Messianic Psalm. "The Son of David" is claimed by the LORD Jesus Christ as He is the "greater son of David" or the Messiah. In this passage of Matthew 22, Jesus questions the Pharisees about who they think the "Christ" or the Messiah is. "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make Thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son?"
(Matthew 22:41-45, KJV).
The position of the Messiah is at
God’s right hand.
The fact that Jesus Christ is at the
"right hand of God"
was a sign to the
disciples that Jesus had indeed gone to heaven.
In John 16:7-15,
Jesus told the disciples that He had to go away and He would send the Holy Spirit. So the coming of the Holy Spirit in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) was proof positive that Jesus was indeed in heaven seated at the right hand of God. This is confirmed in Romans 8:34 where the Apostle Paul writes that Christ is sitting at God’s right hand making intercession for us.
Therefore, what we can say is that
"God’s right hand" refers to the Messiah,
the LORD Jesus Christ,
and He is of equal position, honor, power, and authority with God
(John 1:1-5).
The fact that Christ is "sitting" refers to the fact that
His work of redemption is done and when the
fullness of the Gentiles is brought in (Romans 11:25),
Christ’s enemies will be made His footstool.
When the end of the age comes, all prophecy will be
completed, and time will be no more.
Matthew, in chapters 24-25,
records the Lord’s heart of compassion and love
mingled with unwavering
holiness.
This section of Scripture, including the Parable of the Talents, constitutes final warnings, prophecies, and encouragements to His people Israel prior to His departure. He, who is their Lord, is leaving for an undisclosed period of time. He is delegating to them the responsibility, as stewards, to care for His kingdom. The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, impresses on them the weight of that responsibility and the serious consequences of neglecting to understand and apply His instructions. There is also a message to all mankind.
If the talents are talents of gold,
the value of what the master
entrusted to the stewards
would be immensely high,
in the millions of dollars.
Since the Lord uses only the term
"talents"
we must make some assumptions, but it seems reasonable to assume that the owner of the talents, the man traveling into a far country, was a wealthy man. He is entrusting his wealth to three men who become stewards of his money. One receives five talents. Another receives two talents. A third steward receives one talent. Each is given a significant amount of money. These are stewards entrusted with the care of the money. The stewards must know the personality and character of their Lord. He expects them to know Him well enough to apply the spirit as well as the letter of His instructions. Those that do are richly rewarded. The others receive severe judgment. The amount given is based on each steward’s ability.
The first two understand the spirit and letter of instructions
and the character of their Lord.
They both use the resources
by "trading"
to gain a profit.
Each of them makes a 100 percent profit.
Fear and mistrust of his Lord motivate the third steward.
He buries the money in the earth and returns the original amount.
The profitable stewards are praised, given
increased responsibilities
and invited to enter into the joy of their Lord.
The untrusting steward is scolded, rejected, and punished.
The application of this parable must be understood within the context of the message of Matthew 24-25. It is first a message to the people of Israel that will live in the last days before the Lord returns. The statement, in Matthew 24:13, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved," is a key statement. This is the believing remnant that will receive the promise of the kingdom. In Matthew 24:32-34, the Lord states, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." These will be alive when He returns and will have understood and believed their Lord. The application to the people of Israel is graphic and relevant. Those that believe Him will be rewarded in His kingdom. The basis of the reward will be their stewardship of His resources entrusted to them.
Those who
fear and do not believe
will be rejected and
judged
There is also a universal application to all mankind. From the time of the creation of mankind, each individual has been entrusted with resources of time and material wealth. Everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are responsible for using those resources so that they increase in value. As Christians, we have additionally the most valuable resource of all – the Word of God. If we believe and understand Him, and apply His Word as good stewards, we are a blessing to others and the value of what we do multiplies.
We are accountable
to the Lord for the
use of
His resources.
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