Watch! (Matthew 24:36-51)

Jesus wanted His disciples to be prepared for what was coming when He went to be with the Father. He said He would come again when people do not expect Him. Again He told stories related to their daily experience. He said, "Now concerning that day and hour no one knows--neither the angels of heaven nor the Son--except the Father alone. As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be." Some people were eating dinner. Others were getting married. Still other were working at their jobs. Only Noah and his family were prepared for the flood and entered the ark. The others were left behind.

Jesus said, "Be alert, since you don't know what day your Lord is coming." If a man knew his house would be robbed, he would stay up to deal with the robber. But thieves do not announce when they are coming. Our Lord will come unexpected, and I will be ready. Will you?

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time?" Our response to Jesus' love is what makes us faithful. He gives us gifts and abilities to serve according to His plan for our lives. Jesus told a parable about a servant whose master put him in charge of giving food at the proper time. He wanted the others in the household to be able to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner while he was gone. The servant was wise to carry out his duties.

Jesus talked about a wicked servant who said in his heart, My master taking a long time
so he began to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with drunkards. Jesus said, "That servant's master will come on a day he does not expect and an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Ouch!

Think About It
We have a choice--to respond to God's love by using our talents and abilities to serve Him and others, or we can love and serve ourselves. The first has rewards in Heaven. The last will receive unbearable punishment with people who only pretend to be good. The suffering will be so severe that they will cry and grit their teeth. The results of both are eternal.

Pray About It
O Lord, make us watchful. Help us prepare for your coming by doing what Jesus did when He was here on earth--helping the poor and healing the sick. Help us to love and show compassion like Jesus. In His precious name we pray, Amen.

---