Matthew 24
July Memory Verse: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Read: Matthew 24
In Matthew 24, we read about the fifth of Jesus’s five major discourses. This is sometimes called the Olivet discourse, creatively named because of verse 3: “As he sat on the Mount of Olives…”
Anyway, in this discourse, Jesus is prophetically addressing his disciples about the future. I’m interested to read what interested you in the comments, but the section that grabbed my attention were verses 45-51:
Jesus is talking here of the unknown nature of Christ’s return. It seems that this section is very applicable to us, given the fact that we are in a season where we are awaiting the return of Christ!
The Bible helps us understand what it means to be a faithful Christian during this time as we are awaiting Christ’s return. Through Jesus’s teaching through the book of Matthew, we see a clear picture of what righteous living looks like (see the Sermon on the Mount, the Great Commandment, the Great Commission that we will talk about in a few days, etc., etc.)
Our goal before Christ returns is to live our lives in faithful obedience because of what Jesus has done for us in the cross and resurrection.
What stood out to you in the passage? What areas do you need to focus on in becoming a more faithful, obedient Christian?
By: Graham Withers
Read: Matthew 24
In Matthew 24, we read about the fifth of Jesus’s five major discourses. This is sometimes called the Olivet discourse, creatively named because of verse 3: “As he sat on the Mount of Olives…”
Anyway, in this discourse, Jesus is prophetically addressing his disciples about the future. I’m interested to read what interested you in the comments, but the section that grabbed my attention were verses 45-51:
45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus is talking here of the unknown nature of Christ’s return. It seems that this section is very applicable to us, given the fact that we are in a season where we are awaiting the return of Christ!
The Bible helps us understand what it means to be a faithful Christian during this time as we are awaiting Christ’s return. Through Jesus’s teaching through the book of Matthew, we see a clear picture of what righteous living looks like (see the Sermon on the Mount, the Great Commandment, the Great Commission that we will talk about in a few days, etc., etc.)
Our goal before Christ returns is to live our lives in faithful obedience because of what Jesus has done for us in the cross and resurrection.
What stood out to you in the passage? What areas do you need to focus on in becoming a more faithful, obedient Christian?
By: Graham Withers
7 Comments
First, I can't help but dig deeper into verses like 22 and 34 as they immediately bring a bunch of questions to my mind about end times. Is it the Tribulation that God has cut short the days or no one would survive? Who is "this generation" ? And so on.
In verse 48, 'my master is staying away a long time' is convicting for me. I have mentioned before I struggle to put God first and to not just put His desires for me aside because of this thought in verse 48. There is always tomorrow right? No. My loving husband was struck with grief this last weekend when a childhood friend of similar age died of a heart attack. We thanked God that this man knew Jesus. And then Ben said to me "tomorrow is not promised ".
7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.
As I finished reading Matthew 24 and Graham's commentary a news story popped up on my phone about an 8.2 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Alaska in the Bearing Sea. The earthquake occurred at 2:15am as most of us were sound asleep. What a powerful reminder this is that the Lord's return will occur in the same way...... when we least expect it.
v.37) As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
As we go about our daily lives doing whatever profession God has called us to, let us be busy proclaiming the good news of Jesus until He returns. Scripture makes it clear that no man knows the day or hour set by the Father but it certainly appears to me that the Lord's return is close at hand.
Good post Graham. This events described in this passage are feeling more and more relevant. We should be living focused on the Master's business understanding his return may be soon, not like the servant who thinks "My master won't be back for a while" and won't see that I'm not focused on his priorities.
I love reading about the eminent return of Jesus. He could come at any moment. We need to prepare the church for this. Could be today. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
This chapter is so rich in visions of things to come. But the overriding statement is to be at work, be prepared and do not be deceived. The verse that stands out to me is "Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather." Dead, rotting things draw those who look for dead, rotting things. I love the imagery. We must be on constant guard to avoid anything that does not provide life. "I have set before you life and death......choose life." Deuteronomy 30-19.
That's really good Lindsay!
Just keeping my eyes focused on Jesus and being obedient to share the gospel is what I have to concentrate on daily.