Thursday, February 6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.  I tell you the truth:  he will put him in charge of all his possessions." (Matthew 24:45-47)

Matthew 24 contains some of Jesus's clearest language on the Second Coming.  In vv. 30,31, Jesus explains that we will "see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."  The Second Coming will bring the present world and its history to a close ("the age of the Church"), ushering in a transition to the new heavens and new earth.

In light of this certain, yet-to-be-realized, how should we carry ourselves?  Jesus guides us to take a watchful attitude.  (Paul echoes this sentiment in Colossians 4:2:  "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.")  He highlights the example of a faithful servant, fulfilling his or her duties during the master's absence.  The discipline comes from within, given the commitment to the master and his business. This servant earns the master's trust and will inherit greater responsibilities.

By analogy, God calls us to exercise faithfulness in our earthly responsibilities so that we may receive greater responsibilities in the heavenly realms.  Excitingly, it appears that God intends us to continue serving Him and exercising our talents and skills in heaven.  Unlike in this sin-stained earth, however, we will have be free of the frustrations of brokenness and the limitations of time and space.  It will be awesome to serve God with great abandon and to experience His presence so fully.

In what areas of your life could you exercise greater watchfulness?  Knowing and responding to God's Word makes us ready to live watchfully.  Putting His Word into our hearts and minds helps us to understand where and how He would like us to serve in our time of waiting and preparing for His great return.

Lord God, thank You for sending us Your Word so that we may have clarity on how we may remain watchful in these days till Your return.  Give us understanding of how to honor You in specific situations.  Strengthen us so that we will not become weary.  Draw near to us in our waiting, watching, and serving.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.