Mattew 25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025&version=ESV


Matthew 24 and 25 deal with eschatological themes, i.e. themes related to the end times.

In Matthew 24, Jesus describes the events and happenings at the time when He will return.

In Matthew 25, Jesus continues with His discussion of eschatology but now He is using parables.

He tells us of the parable of the Virgins and the parable of the Talents, and then He describes the Final Judgement.

In the parable of the Virgins, Jesus is conveying to us the message that we need "watch correctly"" and be properly prepared disciples and ready to accompany the Son of Man when He returns.

In the parable of the Talents, Jesus is conveying to us that we must use the gifts He gives us to glorify the Kingdom. We should not be lazy and not exercise our gift. For as Jesus said, "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (Matthew 25:29)

And in the Final Judgement, Jesus talks about the true character of those who follow Him. Those who are His true disciples will receive eternal life and those who are unrepentant and unbelieving will go away into eternal punishment.

Friends, are you ready for Jesus to return? Are you using the gifts He has given you to glorify Him and His Kingdom? And is your character reflective of a true biblical disciple of Christ?

Jesus meant for the words in chapter 25 to be penetrating and thought provoking.

Search the Scriptures, and see what it means to be prepared and to be a true disciple of Christ and to use your gifts to glorify Him.

Many in Evangelical Christianity place their eternity in a one time decision for Christ, yet the rest of their life shows no indication or fruit that their profession of faith was anything other than a false confession. I am not saying that we are not saved by grace through faith alone. But what I am saying is, as Martin Luther and the Reformers said, we are saved by grace through faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. Meaning, that our life should be indicative of the beliefs we profess.

Being a Christian is our entire life. Reflect on this chapter today. Ask the Lord to make your heart tender towards Him and to the things of His Kingdom.

This world will pass away, but Jesus Christ is eternal. I want to live to seek and savor the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all of my life, as John Piper has often said.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Today's post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer.