Jesus’s Parable About the Kingdom of God
Open Your Bible
Matthew 25:1-46, Isaiah 60:19-21, 2 Peter 3:11-14
BY Marnie Hammar
I’m sipping my coffee and reading this chapter, and something inside me feels uncomfortable. Jesus didn’t mince words, did He? But alongside the unbending reality of what comes if we slumber (Matthew 25:12,41), we get a glimpse of the celebration that comes in choosing Jesus while we wait. Tucked within words that seem harsh, the promise and fulfillment lies in our hope in Jesus. Here we see Jesus speak of the culmination of all that He came for.
The message surrounding each parable is the same:
Jesus is coming back for us. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (vv.31–32).
We don’t know when. “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour” (v.13).
The choices we make while we wait matter. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy” (v.21).
Our choices tell the story of what we hold close and dear. Both the virgins and the servants understood their jobs. But as the foolish virgins and the lazy servant waited, a nap and a covered-over pile of dirt took priority over what’s to come. They didn’t long for more than what they had.
I’ll be honest—as I read this, I find myself tempted to do more. Get the oil! Invest and double the profit! Doing secures our place in the kingdom, right? But being known by Him and invited to enter the wedding (Matthew 25:10, Revelation 19:9), and hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant,” (Matthew 25:21) isn’t about perfectly completed spiritual checklists. In the waiting, our hearts are revealed.
When He returns, He will divide those who love Him from those who don’t (vv.32–33). In the waiting, we need to love Him.
Loving Him means we long for more than what’s in front of us. We anticipate the joy of His arrival with so much expectation that we run to stock up on oil well before we need it. We set our hearts on the words, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (v.34).
As His bride, let’s be diligent so that we can be found by Him without spot or blemish and also at peace (2Peter 3:11–14). Let’s lay down today’s fleeting urgencies for tomorrow’s everlasting promises.
When the call comes in the middle of the night—when He comes looking for His sheep—let’s be prepared for the only light we’ll ever need (Isaiah 60:19–20). May we run to meet Him because we’ve been waiting.
43 thoughts on "Jesus’s Parable About the Kingdom of God"
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Thank you! God bless for this. I know now why God has brought me through what He has. Lord always use me and help me to do thy will! Save my children and use them too! Then, Lord, come quickly! Bring my children from.afar like you promised!!!
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Day 1 of Fasting.
Why fasting:
– Fasting is a private discipline that brings public reward.
– “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6)
– “When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you (Matthew 6: 17-18).– Biblical fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose, to bring us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. King David was fasting, his hunger and thirst for God was greater than his desire for food and drinks, even in the midst of his trial. Fasting brings a secret source of power that is often overlooked by many.
– We can be missing out on the greatest breakthroughs because we fail to fast. Remember the thirtyfold, sixtyfold, hundredfold return Jesus spoke of? (Mark 4:8, 20). When we fast, pray, tithe, the hundredfold result can be released unto us.
– Jesus fasted before starting his earthly ministry. After being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus was tempted by the devil after 40 days and nights of fasting in the Judaean Desert.
– Jesus is our example in all things (1 Peter 2:21: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps)
– A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40)
So if we are seeking to draw close to God, to go into higher and deeper realms/ dimensions in the spirit, to break free from the power of sin and death and demonic attacks, fasting is the secret source of power.
(as per “Fasting”-by Jentezen Franklin)DAY 1: REPENTANCE: (prepping the way)
“if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)Suggestion Prayers:
Father, we come before you this day humbling ourselves, wearing sackcloth, and we ask for your forgiveness upon the sins of our families, our parents, our grandparents and the ancestors who did not know you. We pray for your forgiveness on the things that we do that we do not understand. As we confess our sins, may you reveal to us the hidden sins that are still strongholds in our families, that opens doors to evil forces, reveal the source that causes hindrances to our intimacy with You, and our obedience to You. Reveal to us, and enable us to turn away from those wicked ways, in thoughts, deeds, secret heart intentions by Your power. Purify us as Your are pure. We desire to be made pure. Cleanse us from all unrighteous thoughts, words, deeds and hidden agenda. Forgive the sins of our ancestors, of ourselves, even of our children and future grandchildren. Give us the spirit of meekness and humbleness to receive correction when it comes (for wisdom will take correction, and stupidity rejects it). Give us grace that we are not set in our ways, but become flexible to be trained and adjusted to Your ways. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.Be blessed dear sisters.❤️
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Happy Thursday she’s.
What a day I have had. Praise the Lord. Zoom meetings back to back, but here I am.
What stood out to me “Manage your oil”. Manage your oil wisely dear virgins of God. I saw this recently that someone shared with me, and it goes with the reading today, concerning the oil. I don’t know who wrote this, but there is so much spiritual wisdom here:” Your calling is going to crush you.
If you’re called to mend the broken hearted, you’re going to wrestle with broken-heartedness.
If you’re called to prophesy, you’ll struggle with controlling your mouth.
If you’re called to lay hands, you will battle with spiritual viruses.
If you’re called to preach and to teach the gospel, you will be sifted with wisdom that anoints the message.
If you’re called to empower, your own self-esteem will be attacked, your success will be hard fought.
Your calling will come with cups, thorns and sifting that are necessary for your mantle to be authentic, humble, and powerful.
Your crushing won’t be easy because your assignment is not easy.
Your oil is not cheap.”@KRIS: thank you for the book recommendation. It’s incredible.
@RHONDA J: keep at it girl. So proud of you :) -
Maundy” originates from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command,” which is how the name Maundy Thursday was coined. It references Jesus’ command to serve and love one another (see John 13:34-35). Some groups will even host a foot-washing ceremony to signify this day.
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2 Peter says “Therefore, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in His sight “
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Isaiah 60 concludes with the grand promise that the Lord will be Israel’s everlasting light. Days of sorrow end, all people will be righteous, possessing the land forever. This is God’s doing , the result of His planting for His splendor.
Glorious restoration of His chosen city, Jerusalem. -
Thank you all for your inciteful comments. With so many people in my house and more arriving later, I’m glad I found a few minutes to read. Normally tonight I would be at my church at a Maundy Thursday Service and possible Good Friday Walk tomorrow. But both cannot be this year and it feels odd and a little uncomfortable. Congrats to new grammys and as I read you were held in prayer.
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Powerful teachings of Jesus using 3 parables bearing crucial insights into Kingdom life.
1.) PREPAREDNESS for Christ return
2.)FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP
3.) FINAL JUDGEMENT compassion for “the least of these”
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