At the risk of sounding like a home security commercial, there is a home burglary happening somewhere on the earth at every moment. Perhaps you have been the unfortunate victim of such a crime. They may take your expensive jewelry, or jewelry that might not be expensive, but which has sentimental value, as it belonged to your mother or grandmother. They may take valuable artwork, or expensive computers or computer gaming equipment. You come home and all of your treasures have been stolen. In our Gospel reading for today, the Lord Jesus speaks to us about what we hold as treasured items, and how to avoid having our treasures stolen.
As our Scripture passage begins, the Lord Jesus calls His followers here “little flock” (vs. 32). We are like a small group of sheep, seeking to follow our Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16), as He lovingly cares and protects us. He tells us that it is God’s pleasure to give His children, His “little flock” the Kingdom. It is His gift, not something that we earn. It is something that God is happy to bestow upon us.
Jesus proceeds to give us some instructions on how we, His little flock, should live (vs. 33-34). He wants us to be making eternal investments instead of storing up temporal or earthly wealth. This is not teaching us socialism or communal living. Instead it is a call to personal sacrifice and having generosity which is rooted in our faith in Him. Instead of having a house filled with treasures that would break our hearts if they were stolen, or things we watch grow old and break down, Jesus suggests we might be more happy if we sell them and give the money to the poor. That way they won’t grow old and gather dust in our homes, or be at risk of getting stolen. Then we can begin gathering treasures in heaven.
What we invest our time and money in, what we talk about, what we keep returning to in our mind reveals what is really in our heart, and what is truly our “treasure”. Jesus asks us whether our treasure is the “stuff” we have in our homes, or is our treasure what we have laid up in heaven? If it is an earthly treasure, then it can be stolen, broken, or taken away. However if we have been working on building a heavenly treasure, we can relax, knowing that type of treasure is eternally safe and sound.
The Lord then proceeds to tell us about the good servant (vs. 35-40). The good servant is going about his tasks while the master is out, so that when he returns home, the master finds him hard at work, doing what he is supposed to. He is ready and prepared for when the master returns. This pictures how we, as Christians need to be as we wait for the return of the Lord Jesus. Are we ready, just like the good servant is for his master’s return? Having one’s waist girded and lamp burning show a picture of one being prepared and vigilant. They are ready at all times, as the master may come early, or he may be delayed. We don’t know when Jesus is returning, so we must be ever vigilant and ready. We need to be spiritually alert and morally pure at all times.
If an earthly master will reward the servant who is ready and doing what he should be when the master returns, how much more will the Lord reward His children who are ready and doing what they should when He returns? (vs. 37-38). Jesus will honor and reward faithful believers. When we serve Him wholeheartedly now, we can know that He will reward us in eternity.
The Lord then returns to the thought of a thief breaking in and stealing our belongings (vs. 39-40). If we knew ahead of time exactly what time that thief would come, we would be there ready and waiting, preventing him from breaking in. What gives the thief the upper hand is the element of surprise. He picks a time when we’re away, when we’re asleep, or otherwise not paying attention. Jesus’ warning is to be alert, ready, and prepared. We do not know when He will return. It might be soon, or it might be a number of years away. However, it could be this afternoon!
Knowing that, we should be spiritually prepared at all times. Don’t delay in repenting of sins, or in obeying His Word, the Bible. Don’t be like the lazy servant or unprepared homeowner, and slumbering when we should be vigilant and alert. We can rest in the promises Jesus gives us. Remember, we are His little flock!
No comments:
Post a Comment