In Matthew 25
● register the continued reference to the “kingdom of heaven” (1) and to the unknown time (13- compare to 14:36) of its fullness appearing,
● notice that the parable of the talents, like 14:37-51, dwells on Jesus’ concern for the status of the servants’ work when the master returns: Will the servant be found faithful? (“Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes”- 24:46; and “Well done, good and faithful servant”- 25:21 and 23),
● conclude that the timing is relatively unimportant and that the right action underway at the time of return is superlatively important,
● delight in the prospect that one can “enter into the joy of your master” (21, 23),
● notice that a “place” is named again (25: 30- compare to 24:51) where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth,”
● see how entering joy and being cast into the place of weeping and gnashing sets up the separation to come “when the Son of Man comes in his glory” (31),
● notice that “glorious” (31) extends the sense of awe and power and authority that accompany the “glory” (31) of the Son of Man ready to separate, right and left, sheep and goats, “the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (34) and “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (41), and
● ponder the significance of the test for separation (35-45)- deeds rightly motivated, rightly directed, and faithfully practiced in the interim until the master comes- sounding much like the parable in chapter 24 where the master tasked his servant to feed his people at the “proper time” (24:45) and declared those blessed who were “so doing” (46) when the master returned.