Bible 110-B12 LUO
Interpretation Project 1

In reading the assigned passage, Matthew 24:43-25:13, what I come away with is Jesus’ heart for preparing those whom he called. A few versus before this passage, in Matthew 24:36, we read that even Jesus does not know the day or hour of his return so he is instilling principles in his disciples about being ready for his return. These principles where recorded in the New Testament as well as passed down by early church leaders. Jesus was teaching his church about being prepaid for his return. I can only imagine what it would be like to wake up and realize that my house had been broken into in the middle of the night and I had lost something of value to me. I would think to myself that if only I would have a dog or an alarm system to alert me that I could have saved my possessions. The point that Jesus is making is that we will not get that warning and the possession at risk here is our eternal soul. This is such a strong and vivid illustration that Paul echoes it in 2 Thessalonians 5:2 as does Peter in 2 Peter 3:10. The next illustration has to do with a house as well. This time we are not the master but the servant. Jesus had taught the disciples that the greatest amongst them would be the servant. We are here as servants of Jesus who are to be busy making disciples. A true heart of repentance will seek to make disciples. How serious are we taking our assignment from the master? This passage tells us what will happen to those who were not busy about their task when the master returns, and it promises that he will return unexpectedly. The next picture that Jesus paints for us is of the 10 virgins waiting on the bride groom. Not all of them were prepared for him and they did not know when he was coming. In Matthew 7:21 we read that not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a Christian. I believe that this story is speaking to them. Five of the virgins were waiting for the groom but did not have all that they needed. They did not have oil for their lamp. I believe that their hearts were not right. When they returned with the oil, the other virgins had gone in with the groom. When they knocked on the door, the groom told them that he did not know who they were. He knew who the first five virgins were because they were prepared for him, their hearts were prepared for him. All of these stories speak about being prepared for when you see Jesus face to face. He could come back at any time.