The apostles wrote to the early Christians about the return of Jesus, passing on ‘preparation’ teachings their Teacher had given them. Knowing His time on earth was short, Jesus predicted two huge future events during His passion week. First, the Temple would be destroyed. Around forty years later, in 70 A.D., the Romans surrounded Jerusalem and destroyed the Holy Place on Mt. Moriah. The other prophesy, that of His return, has not yet taken place. Though there is much controversy over various details, all must admit we are now closer to the Second Coming than ever before..
Three parables found in Matthew 25 reveal ‘preparation’ mindsets Jesus wants us to possess. He does not want His children to simply take a survivalist mentality or go sit and wait on a mountain top. Nor does He want us to be oblivious to what is happening in the world and miss the signs He described as ‘birth pains.’ I asked our daughter, Kinsey (the midwife), about ‘birth pains.’ “Birth pains come at the end of pregnancy. As time passes, the contractions become more frequent and more intense,” she answered. “Then, when the mother thinks she just can’t make it any longer, the baby comes.”
The parable of the 10 virgins contrasts the difference between being wise and being foolish in the last days. The five foolish virgins were unprepared for the coming of the Bridegroom. They took an emergency outing to buy some oil for their lamps, but didn’t make it back in time. All five were shut out and could not enter the Wedding Banquet. The five wise virgins had already brought extra oil for their lamps; when the Bridegroom came, they were prepared and welcomed in with open arms.
In the Bible, oil usually represents the Spirit, so the message seems clear: Be filled with the Spirit. Have your eyes on Jesus. Be spiritually prepared. God has given us His Holy Spirit, but am I listening to Him? Is God my passion, or do lesser matters consume my mind and energy? How do I spend my time? The Spirit points us to Jesus and helps us know Him better. The Spirit reminds us of the necessity of obeying our Lord. If we don’t understand, we can ask Him for help. The Spirit is our Helper. God is for us! So Jesus warns: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
The second parable is about using our talents. The question is not as much: how many talents do I have? But rather: what am I doing with what I’ve been given? While Jesus stressed being spiritually prepared as we watch and pray, He did not teach idleness. While we watch, we are about His work. We pray to know God’s will. How do I bless my spouse, my kids, and my friends? How do I serve my neighbor? What type of employee am I? Do I use my abilities and gifts to bring glory to God? Burying my talent brings disaster! Using my gifts and blessings with boldness and wisdom pleases the Lord. “Blessed is that servant whom the Master finds doing his job when He comes.” (Matthew 24:46)
Finally, our Good Shepherd tells a story of Judgment. When you hear people saying: ‘all are going to heaven’ or ‘there is no hell’ or ‘a God of love would never punish’… tell them you prefer to listen to Jesus. He talked a lot about heaven and hell and judgment. This last story in Matthew 25 says there will be a separation. The sheep enter the Kingdom; the goats do not. “How did you treat Me?” was the measuring stick of the Judge. The prepared soul sees one in pain and responds… the hungry, the poor, the heartbroken, the sick, the imprisoned… When we serve the hurting, we serve our Savior. He is everywhere.
Watch. Pray. Obey. Be wise. Be full of the Spirit. Be fruitful. Serve. Love. These are some of Jesus’ instructions on preparation.
“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17