Friday, 14 August 2026
But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. Matthew 22:5
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“The ‘also having been uncaring’, they departed, the, indeed, to the ‘his field’, the also to the ‘emporium, his’.” (CG)
In the previous verse, the king sent out other servants to tell those who had been called that the brunch was prepared, the oxen and fatlings were killed, and all things were ready. He then emphatically implored them to come to the nuptials. However, Jesus continues, saying, “The ‘also having been uncaring’.”
A new word, ameleó, is used. It is from the negative particle a and meló, to be of interest or concern. Thus, it signifies to be uncaring. The use of the word in the parable is exactingly described in Hebrews 2 –
“For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect [ameleó] so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” Hebrews 2:2-4
These people received the invitation and “neglected” or were uncaring about such a great salvation, as Jesus continues to indicate, saying, “they departed.”
Instead of heading to the nuptials, they took off in another direction. For those who have witnessed to others, the attitude has probably been seen. Jesus continues with, “the, indeed, to the ‘his field’, the also to the ‘emporium, his’.”
Both are looking for worldly gain. One sees his field as being more necessary to attend to than receiving the invitation to true riches. Labor itself can be its own replacement of God. Working hard, whether honestly or dishonestly, has the attraction of being a sign that the person is capable of earning his way in this world. The mental connection then says, “If I am productive here, surely I will be productive in the next world.”
The other sees buying and selling as the better path. This is borne out in an almost unlimited number of ways, be it buying and selling cars, stocks, real estate, etc. It is assumed that if one is successful through exceptional business acumen, he will be successful in a like manner in the next life, never thinking that the next life will be expressed in a completely disparate paradigm.
Life application: People in general look at the way they conduct their lives and assume that by doing what they are doing, they will somehow “get ahead,” as if their affairs in this life are a logical steppingstone to the next life.
It is true that what we do here will determine what happens to us in the next life, but not in the sense that most people think. God sets the parameters for entering His kingdom, not us. When we confuse this with our own plans, we make an eternity-changing error.
The gospel of Jesus is laid out in a simple formula: accept that what God has done is sufficient, receive what He has done through belief, and then rest in that faith throughout your earthly existence.
This is pleasing to God. But we might confuse this plan by saying we believe in Jesus while rejecting the premise that we don’t need to do anything else. Law observance becomes an addiction. With each new precept that we add to our arsenal of “works”, we further distance ourselves from any hope of reconciliation with God.
Simply being uncaring about the gospel means we are more caring about whatever else we are engaged in. Life becomes a me-centered existence where we are sure that God will accept us for the path we have chosen. This is the “all paths lead to God” mentality.
Others know that the path they have chosen is wrong, but they suppress the knowledge of God to the point where He is never even considered, as they wallow in all sorts of depravity. It doesn’t matter which expression of life we choose. If it is not a gospel-centered choice, it will lead to the same state of condemnation.
Really “decent” people who intend well in all manner of life are no closer to God than Adolph Hitler. Sin is the problem. The gospel is the only answer to the issue of sin. Until that is dealt with, there is no reconciliation with God and no hope for the pitiful lost soul.
God has done it all. Trust this and be saved.
Lord God, give us wisdom to set ourselves and our thoughts of self-sufficiency aside. Grant us the right mindset to hear the gospel, accept its truth, and to then live out our lives ever trusting that our faith in it was sufficient to continue to bring us to You. May it be so to Your glory. Amen.