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.
❤
I want to thank everyone for the prayers for my hubby’s eye surgery. It went well, and his eyes are still adjusting to each other. (The surgeon repaired the muscles attached to both eyes to align them.) Now ‘encouraging’ him to take it easy is my next challenge… ;-)
I am praying as I read for all the requests, too. TAYLOR- I am so proud of you for your strength in making wise choices in your dating life! I know I’m not alone in sensing your growth and reliance on the Lord in this area. Keep going, dear one!
Saturday I will be attending the memorial service for my friend who passed away suddenly two weeks ago. I’ll be meeting her husband and kids, grandkids for the first time, although I feel kind of like I know them. My friend and I would have long lunches and her family was always her main focus of discussion. Please pray with me for the Lord to draw them to Him. they are all very accomplished but not in relationship with the Lord.
Thanks again, dear She’s!!
Prayers please for my daughter Madi. She has pre-preeclampsia and they have decided to do a C-section on Tuesday. She will get a shot today and tomorrow to help the baby boy’s lungs develop before delivery. She is at 37 weeks so everything should go smoothly but I’d just appreciate prayers. She has a 15 month boy and this is her second boy. Our 10th grand!!
Btw…Steve is steadily getting stronger. Still no feeling in his feet, but with the help of PT he is able to walk with a cane (unsteadily, but getting better). Concentrating on building leg muscles, arm muscles, core muscles, to improve his balance.
Prayers for so many of you ladies.
Hugs to all ❤️
Praying for your daughter and grandson. Also for Steve.
Sweet Jesus, help me and my sweet sisters to wait for You but also help us be prepared and make the right choices. I really loved the last verse from the 2 Peter reading. It is impossible for us to be without spot or blemish on our own… but because of Him we can! (Did you notice the inclusion of the words “in his sight”?!?! Sweet!!)
2 Peter 3: 14… “Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.”
Let’s lay down today’s fleeting urgencies for tomorrow’s everlasting promises. God nudge me towards what you would have me do to further Your kingdom. Don’t let me miss the little opportunities to share Your word.
May we run to meet Him because we have been waiting. !!!! I eagerly await Your rapture & return!! I love and long for You, Jesus!
“though I have not seen Him, my heart knows Him well” ♥️♥️♥️
“Let’s lay down today’s fleeting urgencies for tomorrow’s everlasting promises.”
So good!
@Taylor – praying for you! I’m a single 40 yo and I understand — praying for a Godly man for you and that God would heal your heart and hold you close! <3