Matthew 25:14-30
As He continues to explain end-times events to His
disciples, Jesus has explained what it means to “be ready” for His return. (We
learned that last week – You MUST be filled with the Holy Spirit.)
But what about the waiting part?
In our language, “waiting” conveys standing in line.
Boredom. Wasting time. Nothing to do. Stuck in traffic.
Jesus teaches something entirely different. The LAST
thing Jesus desires for His Church to be found doing as we wait for His return
is nothing. We are to be an active Church – actively waiting for His return!
To ensure this, (even though He tells us He is going away
for a “long time” – V19,) Jesus promises gifts. “Talents,” if you will.
These “talents” will be given on an individual basis, and
we are not to be jealous of the gift someone else receives – but instead put to
great use the gift we have received. And there are to be great uses for the
gifts we receive…the greatest being to multiply them!
(Jesus also lets us know there will be an evaluation of
how we have used the gifts we have received when He comes.)
But the revelation of this parable is that waiting is to
be an act of faith. Our mind is not to wander, and our faith in Christ is to
remain strong even as He tarries – waiting for that last Christian to be
brought into the fold. Just as Jesus actively waits, we are to actively pursue
that LAST Christian.
As our “talents” are multiplied, we may notice more and
more people are coming to Christ. In fact, these new believers coming to Christ
ARE the ‘multiplication’ Jesus speaks of.
Jesus desires to reach you, and all those you are capable
of reaching in Him. Now, go get ready and do some waiting!
-Pastor Bill
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