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Illustrations have a way of capturing the imagination, and through a story, allow us to grasp the unimaginable.   In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus uses four stories to illustrate how His people are to live in the fullness of what God has entrusted them with while we anticipate His arrival.  The thief in the night illustrates how we are to trust God and His timing for His full return, and leave that to Him, and only Him to know.   The illustration of the wicked servant illustrates how we are continually accountable to God for what we do in this life… we shouldn’t be like sixteen year olds trying to get away with throwing a party when our parents are out for the weekend.  The Holy Spirit should transform our selfish ambitions into selfless ambitions to be a faithful servant while we wait for our Master to fully return to reign in His kingdom.  The third illustration was the parable of the ten virgins where Jesus explains how we are to have enough metaphorical oil in our lamps as we wait for Jesus’ final return. While weddings today probably look a little different then 2000 years ago, there is still application for our lives today.  Those who still had enough oil where those who most desired to be a part of the wedding feast, despite how long they waited or how long they traveled.  In the same way, how we live our lives is a directly connected to our desire to spend an eternity under the reign and rule of Jesus.  The last parable was of the talents where Jesus explained how we are to faithfully and un-begrudgingly use the time, talents, and treasures God might entrust us with to serve Jesus in this life.

It was another Sunday of plenty of reading, and many implications to practically apply in our lives.  The following link is to another post by a Pastor named Justin Holcomb from Seattle Washington.  The post includes a helpful diagram and breakdown of what it means for salvation to be here… and finished… and coming.

http://theresurgence.com/2011/11/07/salvation-is-here-and-finished-and-coming

Here are a few questions to personally meditate on and discuss in your MC’s:

How do you trust in the coming of Jesus that no one but God knows?  How would the fact that no one knows the day imply actually know the date is irrelevant in comparison to what God has already called us to do know?

How does the illustration of the faithful and wicked servant imply God is still in control in a chaotic and broken world?

How is following Christ neither a sprint nor living idly?  How do you practically pace yourself in this life?

What are the “talents” (time, treasure, and talents) God has entrusted you with, and how are we unashamedly and un-begrudgingly use them for the gospel?