This reading section contains a stunning prophecy and four end-time parables. As Jesus teaches during this last week, he concludes with words that ought to make all sit up and take notice.
With the words, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem…” just out of his mouth, Jesus tells the disciples that the time is coming when the temple will be destroyed. In the highly symbolic apocalyptic language, Jesus tells of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The Romans fulfilled this prophecy in 70 A.D. under the leadership of Titus. The Romans laid siege to Jerusalem. Josephus writes that 1,100,000 people died in Jerusalem because Jews from all over Palestine flocked into the city for safety. Many starved in the siege. The Christians heeding the prophecy of Jesus left the city for the mountains at Pella and survived.
This prophetic section alludes to a more comprehensive day of the Lord—the great and final judgment. That day will come suddenly and unexpectedly. That will be a day when the prepared and watchful will find great blessing. The two strands of prophecy of the end of Jerusalem and the end of all things are woven together in places.
Hacks and charlatans have used their creative interpretations of these prophecies to draw crowds and line their pockets. It should be enough for us to know one prophecy has been fulfilled in our past; one prophecy awaits fulfillment in our future. Instead of getting caught up in idle speculations about the end-time, we should heed the teaching of the next four parables and live today ready to meet the Lord.
“Who is the wise and faithful servant…?” The wise and faithful servant is the one who knows that the master will return at any time. The wise and faithful servants want the master to find them doing their jobs when he comes. We are encouraged to keep our focus on serving our Lord even if he has not come after 2000 years. He is coming.
The virgins in the second parable know that the coming of the bridegroom could be at any time. Five of them are prepared. Five of them are not ready when the bridegroom comes at midnight. After the bridegroom comes, it is too late to prepare for the wedding banquet. We are encouraged to work in our tuxedos and formals at the ready for the party to begin. He is coming.
The parable of the investing master calls our attention to another aspect of awaiting the end of all things. Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like the master who gives one servant five bags of gold, gives another two bags of gold, and to yet another one bag of gold. The master leaves expecting his servants will add value to his estate by the effective use of his wealth. The gold never belongs to the servants. It is theirs to manage and grow. When the master returns, the servants who faithfully managed the treasure and added to it were blessed. The conservative servant who took no risk and got no gain loses the gold and his place in master’s house. In this end-time, we are stewards charged with growing the treasures of the kingdom. We are not bank guards protecting the treasure. Being too careful may not be faithful service. He is coming.
The great parable of the sheep and the goats reminds us to see Christ in the faces of the hungry, thirsty, displaced, ragged, sick or imprisoned. The voice of Jesus saying, “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” never leaves the ears of Christ’s faithful ones. Mother Teresa said that we serve Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor. No doubt the followers of Christ are meant to serve him in such disguises until the day they see him face to face in glory. He is coming.
The country song invites all to “live like they are dying.” The Lord Christ invites his beloved ones to live like he is coming. He is coming.
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