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11. Watch! (Matthew 24:42-51)
MATTHEW 24:45-51
45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. 47 Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. 48 But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it, and in an hour when he doesn’t know it, 51 and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be. (Matthew 25:21-23, Luke 12:41-46, 2 Peter 3:4)
The children of God submit to Christ, and call themselves His bondservants, for He is their Lord. This relationship is not based on fear but on love and gratitude for His redemption. Believers do not commit themselves to Christ because they are forced to, but accept Him out of love. Those who submit to the Lord unconditionally will be qualified by Christ to serve in His kingdom and His church. One important way to serve is to give spiritual nourishment to the young and new members of the Lord's family. Christ may lead you to give a clear testimony in your school, encouraging your schoolmates by your words. Is there anyone in your community who is hungry for the Gospel of salvation? Have your friends in your factory heard the meaning of the cross? Do your friends know their Savior because you explained His love to them? Are you faithful in the service gifted to you? If you are faithful in what is least, then the Lord will entrust you with more souls and several ministries. Therefore, ask the Lord to make you faithful and prudent in your service; without doubt or pessimism; but filled with prayer, faith, and hope.
Gospel servants are like overseers of a household; not princes (Christ has a caveat against that). Their role is closer to that of a bondservant or steward. They are not lords, but guides - not to prescribe new ways, but to show and lead in the way that Christ has appointed. This is the meaning of "those who rule over you" (Hebrews 13:17). They are appointed by Christ. What power they have is derived from Him and only He can take it from them.
The work of gospel servants is to give to Christ's household their spiritual food in due season, as stewards. Their work is to give to the Master's family, not take for themselves; to dispense what Christ has purchased. To ministers it is said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Woe to him called by Christ to serve who lives for himself and does not heed God's call. Woe to him who doesn't show love for Christ's and neglects its members. Such behavior indicates, among other things, that such a person has forgotten the imminent coming of his Lord. To expect Christ's coming keeps us from laziness and indifference, and leads us to awareness and humility. It prompts us to keep on living a life of sacrifice and service, that we may be sanctified and able to stand before Him at His coming. He who longs for the coming of the Son of God prepares all the things of his life, house, and church; and looks forward to what is promised with joy.
He who forgets his true purpose within the world because of laziness, desires or worries, develops a hardened heart. Don't be one of these lazy servants! They will be destroyed and the Lord will judge them. Those who neglect the Lord's service will not benefit from any previous spiritual experiences, nor from their many prayers, nor from their abundant offerings. Christ desires their perseverance in sincere service and faithfulness. He was the perfect Servant, humble, giving, and faithful.
Are you faithful in serving those whom the Lord puts in your care? Or do you seek respect and honor for yourself? Are you looking toward the coming of the Lord? Or are you selfish and concerned with your own worries? There is no neutral zone between heaven and hell. Either live eternally with the Lord in real joy, or choose the fear and dread of hell, where there will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I confess that I was neither wise, nor always faithful in the service You called me to and entrusted me with. Forgive me my negligence and repeated failures, and sanctify me for a renewed beginning in Your service by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Let Your love strengthen me in my weakness that I may become really faithful, as You are faithful to me in Your great love.
QUESTION:
- Why did Christ order us to watch and keep awake while serving Him?