Ready for the Lord’s Return

Jesus urged us to be ready, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [1]

He presented to us four examples of readiness for His return…

Faithfully and wisely serving God’s servants [2]
Wisely having sufficient oil to keep your lamp burning [3]
Wisely working with what He has given you [4]
Meeting the needs of His people [5]

Jesus concludes each example by stating who was ready for His return and who was not.

READY: “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” [6]

NOT READY: “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [7]

READY: “Those who were READY went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” [8]

NOT READY: “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But He answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” [9]

READY: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” [10]

NOT READY: “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [11]

READY: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [12]

NOT READY: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” “’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [13]

In each case, those who believed that Jesus Christ would return and acted upon that faith were rewarded.

“Heavenly Father, I believe Your Word, and I ask that You would graciously forgive all my sins and grant me grace by the power of Your Holy Spirit to live according to Your Words. Please help me to be ready for the return of Your Son Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Matthew 24:44
[2] Matthew 24:45-47
[3] Matthew 25:1-13
[4] Matthew 25:14-30
[5] Matthew 25:31-46
[6] Matthew 25:46-47
[7] Matthew 25:48-51
[8] Matthew 25:10
[9] Matthew 25:11-12
[10] Matthew 25:23
[11] Matthew 25:30
[12] Matthew 25:34-36, 40
[13] Matthew 25:41, 45-46