"I tell you the truth..." Matthew 24:47a

“I tell you the truth… He will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Matthew 24:47

Jesus was still teaching His disciples about the end times. Matthew recounts Jesus emphasizing the point of preparedness in the life of the Believer. We are to be prepared for the day Jesus returns… and those who are prepared will find a reward in heaven. Jesus provided the following example in verses 45-51:

“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. ITYTT, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The context of these verses is outside the temple walls… possibly as Jesus was walking with His disciples and followers. He warned them of: others who would be imposters and claim to be the Christ, conflict between nations, famines, and earthquakes – all which He described as the beginning of birth pangs (vv. 4-8; 23-26).

Jesus then gave a vivid description of the persecution Believers would face in the last days. Christians will: be hated for bearing the name of Christ; be handed over to the authorities to be hassled; be executed; fall away from the faith; be betrayed by confederates. Jesus warned that false teachers will lead many astray; wickedness on the earth will increase; the love of most will grow cold – people will become unfeeling toward the needs of others (vv. 9-14). Does any of this seem familiar to you?

In the scripture passage above, Jesus is ‘the master’ Who has commissioned fully devoted followers to offer nourishment to those who hunger for righteousness. Jesus wants us to remain focused on His Word (the Bread of Life) and His work of feeding the world this manna from heaven. Those who do will discover an eternal truth: He will reward those who persevere and keep the Word before the world that desperately needs to hear it (vv. 45-47). There will be a reward in heaven! Where moth and rust will not corrupt (read Matthew 6:19-21).

Those who corrupt His message compromise their lives and the lives reached by that message. Jesus warned that such people will face strong judgment and will be completely unprepared for it (vv. 48-51). In Jesus’ description of the judgment, He gives a grissly depiction of one being cut into pieces, cast away, and suffering for a time.

Which do you choose? The reward or judgment? Jesus is coming back… don’t be fooled into thinking He won’t.

Have a blessed day…