The moment comes. It surprises you. You didn't realize these possibilities could become reality, but here you are, on the cusp of dreams being turned into flesh and blood, dirt, air, grass. Are you prepared to take advantage of what is before you?
Prayer
Gracious Lord Jesus, we confess that the crush of daily responsibilities keep us focused on survival and maintenance. Help us make time to slow down long enough to look up and see visions of new reality, new life, and the opportunities to realize them by the grace you give. May Your Kingdom come into our hearts and lives and into this grand creation you have made!
Matthew 25
Comments
We are in the waning days of Advent, the season of waiting and preparing for Christmas and for the eventual return of Jesus our King who will judge the living and the dead and bring the fullness of his Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. That's why the text for today is particularly appropriate. It deals with the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
There has been a great deal of conjecture about the last days of the world in the past few years. Truthfully, though, humans have been obsessed with this topic since forever! A classic Hollywood joke played out in movies and tv shows is the person wearing a billboard on the sidwalk which reads, "THE END IS NEAR!" These projections about the end were especially prolific at the end of 1999 as the new millenium approached. Earlier this year, a pastor projected that the end of the world and judgment day were to happen, but here we are. Jesus has yet to return.
So what does Jesus tell us in Matthew about his return and final judgment? He tells us stories and gives us imprecise, spacious images filled with questions and mysteries to deal with. Isn't Jesus great!? He does enjoy leaving plenty of room for the mysteries of God to unfold in ways that don't fit in our boxes! There are three things we can grab hold of about the end times, though.
First, Jesus affirms that no one knows when his return will be. The bridesmaids didn't know when the groom would return to claim his bride. The stewards didn't know what day or time the Master of the house would return for an accounting. We don't know if Jesus will return on Tuesday or in the year 3,000, when we are asleep or caught doing something we shouldn't be doing. Guessing when Jesus will return is clearly not something Jesus wants us to spend our time doing. So, with due respect to my brothers and sisters who publish and preach about these things, I recommend we follow his lead and focus on number two.
The second thing Jesus tells about the end times is that we need to be prepared for them, whether he returns before dinner or in 32 years. The bridesmaids who had the foresight to bring plenty of oil for their lamps in case the groom was delayed got to go into the wedding banquet and celebrate the marriage. Those who weren't thinking ahead, made no plans, and just showed up got shut out of the party.
Third, Jesus clarifies for us how we can be prepared. The good stewards were found using their Master's things in ways that expanded the Master's resources. They were prepared. The bad steward did nothing with the Master's things. He was unprepared. The sheep in the last parable fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the imprisoned, and cared for the needy. They were found using the time, energy, money, and personal resources helping the helpless, and so were prepared for the day of Jesus return and judgment.
How shall we prepare for Christmas and the ultimate return of Jesus our King? Don't waste time worrying about when he will come, and be ready by caring for the least, the last, and the lost of this world.
Life Questions
1. What part of our lives do we need to ask God for the grace to get ready for his return?
2. In what ways can we serve the imprisoned, hungry, naked, and lost? In other words, how can we serve Jesus "in his most distressing disguise (Mother Theresa)?"
Prayer
Give us grace, dear Jesus, to turn our yearly holiday focus on helping others into a lifestyle that reflects your boundless love for the least, the last, and the lost of this world. Enlarge our love and generosity by your grace, so that we grow to be more like you! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
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