Chaplaincy_ Matthew

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New Testament Chaplaincy: The Gospel of Matthew Des'monay Barnes CHPL 500 Jan 21, 2024

Table Of Content Introduction ………………………………………………………………… 2 The First Stage: Incarnation ………………………………...…………..…...3 The Parable towards Chaplaincy ……………..…………………………….. 4 Conclusion ………………………………………..………………………… 7 Bibliography ……………………………………………………………...… 9 1

Introduction In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus teaches us that ministry to the least is ministry to Him and that the church must go beyond its comfortable surroundings to understand and meet the needs of others. 1 The mission of Christ is to challenge us to move out of our comfort zones and serve others. Incarnational ministry is based on the idea that God became human to be with us and identify with our needs. 2 Therefore, faithful incarnational ministry involves actively being with those around us and meeting them where they are. According to the New Testament, Christ's ministry can be understood in three stages: incarnation, inclusion, and intensification. These three stages encapsulate the entire revelation of the apostles' teaching concerning God's New Testament economy. 3 This will focus on the first stage of Christ's entire ministry, the stage of His incarnation. One must consider the entire divine revelation to understand Christ's complete ministry in three stages. The central line of the divine revelation is that God dispenses Himself in Christ, with all His riches, into the people He created and chose in eternity past. 4 This divine dispensing causes God to become one with His chosen people, constituting them as the Body of Christ, which consummates in the New Jerusalem as the Triune God's enlargement, expansion, and expression for eternity. This is following the eternal purpose that God made in Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:11). 5 To execute this plan, which He formed according to His heart's desire and will, God devised His economy (1:10; 1 Tim. 1:4). 6 The work of Christ in His complete ministry is to carry out God's economy in whole. 1 Patterson, Dorothy Kelley, and Rhonda Harrington Kelley. “Matthew.” In The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition, Purple/Gray Linen , edited by Holman Bible. Holman Bibles, 2016. 2 “The Conception of Jesus: The Salvific Act of the Incarnation.” In Jesus Becoming Jesus , 3–30. Catholic University of America Press, 2018. 3 Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.” Interpretation A Journal of Bible and Theology 56, no. 3 (2002): 307–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/002096430005600307. 4 Ibid. “The Conception of Jesus: The Salvific Act of the Incarnation.” 5 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition 6 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition 2

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The First Stage: Incarnation The first stage of Christ's ministry began with His incarnation, which brought the infinite God into the finite man. 7 Although the traditional view of the incarnation of Christ is that it was merely a practical means to produce a Savior for man, it is more accurate to view the incarnation as a marvelous and excellent work of Christ to fulfill God's eternal economy. Through the incarnation of Christ, God dispensed Himself into humanity. Utilizing His conception and birth, Christ, though immutable in His intrinsic essence and perpetual, unchangeable, and unchanging in His person. Matthew 25:14-30 is one of Jesus' most significant teachings regarding work 8 . In this parable, a wealthy man entrusts the management of his wealth to his servants. He gives five talents to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. Two servants earn 100 percent returns by trading with the funds, but the third servant hides the money in the ground and earns nothing. The rich man rewards the two who make money but severely punishes the servant who does nothing. In this there is a deeper meaning beyond financial investments. God has endowed each person with various gifts, and we are responsible for utilizing these gifts in His service. It is not acceptable to leave these gifts unused or neglected. Each person has been given different gifts, and the return God expects is proportionate to the gifts. 9 The servant who received only one talent was not condemned for not reaching the five-talent goal; instead, he was criticized for doing nothing with what he had been given. 7 Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.” Interpretation A Journal of Bible and Theology 56, no. 3 (2002): 307–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/002096430005600307. 8 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition 9 Mathis, David. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines . Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2016. 3

The gifts from God include skills, abilities, family connections, social positions, education, experiences, and more. The parable emphasizes the importance of using all our gifts for God's purposes. The consequences for the unproductive servant exceeded those of a mediocre businessperson, stressing the need to invest our lives rather than waste them. Although the word "talent" in the parable has come to refer to skills or abilities in modern English, the parable conveys that investing in God's service in a godly manner is commendable, while hoarding is not. The master praises the two trustworthy servants with the words, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave" (Matthew 25:23), indicating that the master values both the results and the methods used and the trustworthiness of his servants. 10 Hence, this set of scriptures offers valuable insights for the workplace and beyond. It encourages us to take calculated risks in investing our skills, abilities, wealth, and resources to serve God's kingdom. This includes creating products and services that meet people's needs, initiating campaigns for social causes, starting a new business, or teaching Sunday school that Chaplains can use to minister. The Parable towards Chaplaincy The parable teaches us that God has given each person unique gifts and expects us to use them to the best of our ability. 11 We need not compare ourselves to others or feel inferior if our accomplishments are less significant. Instead, we should focus on being faithful and trustworthy stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Chaplains can also draw lessons from the parable, seeing it in the way in which it can be reminded of God's incarnation as a finite man. 12 This exemplifies the economy that God has established, where we are called to serve and love others 10 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition 11 Ibid. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines . 12 Ibid. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines . 4

as Christ did. His willingness to take on human nature, with all its limitations and imperfections, shows us the value of humility, selflessness, and compassion. The talents challenge us to invest in God's kingdom by using our gifts and resources to serve others. It reminds us that our worth is not based on our achievements but our faithfulness to God's calling. And it inspires us to follow Christ's example of sacrificial love and service to others. The Gospel of Matthew draws parallels between Jesus' incarnation, His life, and the ministry of chaplains. 13 By examining the values, conduct, teachings, promises, and warnings of Jesus, chaplains can learn how to emulate His example in their work. The incarnation of Jesus as the second person of the Trinity is a powerful example of how God became man to live a perfect life and die for the sins of humanity. Although chaplains cannot be perfect like God, they are called to follow Christ's example through their actions and words. 14 Chaplains have a mission to serve and help foster a relationship between God and humanity, even in places where the Good News is misunderstood or rejected. This can be a challenging task, but by embodying the life of Christ, chaplains can fulfill their mission with humility and compassion. The gospels recount that Jesus conducted most of His ministry outside the synagogue, in village marketplaces, dusty streets, and hilltops. 15 In this story, however, Jesus goes even further and ventures into what many would consider hostile territory. Similarly, chaplaincy takes place outside the comfort zone of Christian communities, in places where people gather, such as commerce and industry, and on the streets. These places often offer the opportunity for life- changing encounters and are where God is already at work, calling chaplains to be His instruments. 13 Ibid. “The Conception of Jesus: The Salvific Act of the Incarnation.” 14 Ibid. Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.” 15 Burch, Lucius R. “Academic Book Reviews: Calling out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership by Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt.” Christian Education Journal Research on Educational Ministry 20, no. 1 (2023): 127–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/07398913231180787a. 5

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In Matthew 4:9, Jesus is tempted to value riches over serving God, but He responds by quoting Scripture: "Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him!" 16 This statement should guide chaplains and believers in their work, reminding them to serve God above all else. When Jesus began His ministry, He left His city and went to Capernaum in Galilee. His initial message urged people to turn away from sin and embrace the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. He then called four fishermen, promising to teach them how to catch people. This relates to the primary purpose of chaplaincy, which involves first hearing the message of hope in Jesus and then joining in to bring more people into fellowship with Him. 17 Just as the four fishermen left behind their nets and boats to follow Jesus, chaplains leave behind their lives, families, friends, and careers to serve Him and help bring His Kingdom to more people. Although they may be uncertain of what lies ahead, chaplains trust in Jesus, the one who calls them, to guide them along the way. The parallels between Jesus' ministry and that of chaplains are discernible in the execution of their missions, carrying God's Word to uncharted territories. Chaplains are called to transcend cultural, religious, and lifestyle boundaries, mirroring Jesus' servant-hearted approach. Their service is not for personal acclaim but for the glorification of God, who entrusted them with their mission. 18 Engaging with individuals experiencing loneliness, alienation, or pain, chaplains demonstrate genuine care by showing interest, listening without judgment, and aspiring to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Moreover, the concept of incarnation serves as a reminder that individuals must cultivate a genuine communion with God. 19 An intimate knowledge of God is imperative to represent God 16 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition 17 Ibid. The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition 18 Ibid. Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.” 19 Ibid. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines . 6

to humanity effectively and vice versa. This relationship, nurtured through worship, Scripture, and prayer, fosters an evolving understanding of God's nature. Like angels, prophets, and Jesus, chaplains, in their representation of the living God, require an ongoing relationship that profoundly influences their perspectives, attitudes, and overall identity. 20 Emulating the roles of angels, prophets, and Jesus, chaplains are called to be individuals who share the Word and offer prayer. Aligning with the intermediary role of prophets and the example set by Jesus, it is common for chaplains to inquire if individuals would like prayer. This act fosters a powerful connection between the person and God, bridging the gap between them. Additionally, integrating carefully chosen Scripture quotations into ministry conversations is highly recommended. Hebrews 4:12 underscores the potency of God's Word, a principle exemplified by Jesus during his confrontation with Satan's temptations (Matthew 4:1–11). 21 Weaving relevant Scriptures into conversations allows individuals to hear God's words, with the Holy Spirit quietly applying them to their immediate needs. Conclusion Crucially, chaplains are urged to prioritize inward purity over external displays. Upholding good intentions, resisting quick anger, avoiding lust, refraining from swearing when making promises, rejecting the temptation to respond to evil with evil, and extending love to everyone, even adversaries, are essential teachings. 22 Internalizing these principles equips chaplains to navigate situations where people may have limited knowledge about Jesus, enabling them to navigate these encounters effectively while radiating the light entrusted to them. 20 Bohlman, Brian. For God and Country: Considering the Call to Military Chaplaincy . North Charleston, SC: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. 21 Ibid. For God and Country: Considering the Call to Military Chaplaincy . 22 Matthews, Pia. Ethical Questions in Healthcare Chaplaincy: Learning to Make Informed Decisions . London, England: Jessica Kingsley, 2018. 7

In conclusion, the ministry of Jesus Christ provides a powerful example for chaplains to follow in their own work. 23 Just as Jesus combined His incarnational ministry of presence with His ministry in Word, chaplains must do the same. They must be present with people in their time of need, demonstrating God's love and mercy through their actions and words. By cultivating an ongoing relationship with God through worship, Scripture, and prayer, chaplains can represent His message effectively and offer prayer and support to those in need. Through these efforts, chaplains can draw parallels between their own ministry and that of Jesus Christ, fulfilling their calling to share the Word and offer prayer while shining the light of Jesus brightly in the world. 24 23 Ibid. For God and Country: Considering the Call to Military Chaplaincy . 24 Ibid. Ethical Questions in Healthcare Chaplaincy: Learning to Make Informed Decisions . 8

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Bibliography Bohlman, Brian. For God and Country: Considering the Call to Military Chaplaincy . North Charleston, SC: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. Brisson, E. Carson. “Matthew 25:14–30.” Interpretation A Journal of Bible and Theology 56, no. 3 (2002): 307–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/002096430005600307. Burch, Lucius R. “Academic Book Reviews: Calling out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership by Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt.” Christian Education Journal Research on Educational Ministry 20, no. 1 (2023): 127–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/07398913231180787a. Mathis, David. Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines . Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2016. Matthews, Pia. Ethical Questions in Healthcare Chaplaincy: Learning to Make Informed Decisions . London, England: Jessica Kingsley, 2018. Patterson, Dorothy Kelley, and Rhonda Harrington Kelley. “Matthew.” In The Study Bible for Women: NKJV Edition, Purple/Gray Linen , edited by Holman Bible. Holman Bibles, 2016. “The Conception of Jesus:: The Salvific Act of the Incarnation.” In Jesus Becoming Jesus , 3–30. Catholic University of America Press, 2018. 9

Chaplaincy_ Matthew

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