Matthew 24 - 9.26.23
Scripture
Matthew 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Observation
This chapter speaks about the End Times and Jesus’ return. It started when His disciples were admiring the buildings around them, but Jesus told them they would pass away. His disciples then asked when this would happen. Jesus explains to His disciples the importance of being ready now, because the day or hour of His return is unknown. Jesus and the angels do not even know when it will happen (Matt. 24:36). At the end of the chapter, He speaks about a wicked servant who was tired of waiting for his Master and started living like his Master would never return. He started beating his servants, and getting drunk with other drunkards. The master returned at that time and the servant was assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth (aka hell).
Application
Be Kingdom minded and focused.
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17 NIV
Some heroes of the faith lived by faith until they died, even though they didn’t see or receive the things promised to them. What kept them going was their hope of eternity, knowing that this was their temporary, not permanent home. (You can read more about them in Hebrews 11:13-16).
The promise of Jesus' return will happen. This world is not our home and God always keeps His promises. As we put our hope and faith in the promise of Christ’s return and our eternal home, the struggles of this life pale in comparison. Let us be encouraged to not give up in the faith, not give up doing our Master’s business and living with integrity so that we could hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” It is not worth the fate of hell that the wicked servant received, whom the Master was displeased with when He returned.
Here are more Scriptures on waiting on the Lord that I encourage myself with when growing tired of waiting:
Gal. 6:9- And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Ps. 69:3 I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
James 5:7-Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
Lamentations 3:25-The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Psalm 27:14-Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Isaiah 40:31-But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Ps. 130:5-6-I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that our faith in You would strengthen as we remember and wait on Your promised return. I pray we would be encouraged to keep pressing forward in obedience, knowing that our home is not here, but in Heaven. Help us to stay faithful and obedient. I pray we would wait on You. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi