Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. (Matthew 24:45, 46)
According to some the end of the world is scheduled to take place at some date in December 2012. Also you may remember that the turn of the millennium was the time for the end of time to take place. If the 2000 prediction is anything to go by then there’s little point hoarding in preparation of the cataclysm to end all cataclysms.
The narrative of the gospel according to Matthew does something fascinating at this juncture. It highlights the end before the actual end of the gospel narrative. Almost as if we get the end before the end that is the end. Unsurprisingly for those interested in studying the end times, chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew takes up a lot of time and effort in reading and understanding in the context of other scriptures as to what it says in terms of the end to come.
It has taken up much writing space and interest among many both Christians and general speculators about how things will end up. Again it is no surprise that in being taken up in these issues, it is easy to miss the point. That point is summed up in the verses quoted at the start of this entry.
There is little point in speculating the time, as only God knows. There is plenty ot learn about the circumstances of the time, but even more crucially seeing as though we don’t know the time it is all the more important that we make the most of the time we have in being faithful servants. Those that when the Master returns He finds doing what He has left them to do.
To find out what it is we’re meant to be doing chapter 25 goes to a great extent in highlighting almost in mirror reflection to the sermon on the mount at the start of the narrative the qualities and characteristics of those who receive the Kingdom.
These people are prepared like the wise virgins. These people are productive like the men with five and two talents. These people are passionate about people like the final parable highlights in terms of those who look out and serves ‘the least’ of these His brethren.
Prepared, productive and passionate.
If our time is wrapped up in preparing our minds and bodies with the things of Christ, rather than getting bogged down in the minutiae of monitoring daily news and seeing how each step by China is a threat to be worried about, we will be in line with what God is looking for.
If our time is wrapped up producing fruit of the Spirit and others who follow the same way in terms of characters that are conformed to Christ and likewise demonstrate Kingdom realities, rather than wasting ink and space making the Bible like a Rubik’s Cube in need of resolving, we will be in line with what God is looking for.
If our time is wrapped up passionately pursuing justice, righteousness and mercy for those who have been marginalised and ignored in society, rather than launching tirades against governments and other authorities who thwart our own conception of the ideal state, we will be in line with what God is looking for.
Surely this is the faithfulness the Master will be looking for on His return. Surely that should be our focus of all our energies while we follow Him in this life. Surely this makes all the difference between claims of following Jesus and actually following Jesus.
It is issues like this that captures my interest and in as much as I am meant to be aware of the sign of the times, each sign is to remind me more of what is required of me and us. To be watchful to do and be all that pleases Him til He comes.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
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