Read Matthew 24.45-51
http://www.biblegateway.com/
The fate of the wicked servant in this teaching of Jesus parallels the fate of the wicked tenants
(Matthew 21.33-46) and the unprepared wedding guests (Matthew 22.1-14). Killed, cast into
outer darkness, or cut into pieces and placed with the hypocrites, the end is not pretty for those
who do not act faithfully or wisely.
In this short teaching of the Lord, faithfulness and wisdom consists in being prepared, and doing
what a servant is supposed to be doing when the master shows up. These seven verses are really
the conclusion of the passage which began at verse 36, when Jesus reminds the disciples that
the return of Christ will be sudden and without warning, and that the faithful disciple must always
be ready - "Stay awake!" is our standing order!
It's easy to be lulled into complacency when it comes to our discipleship, especially living as we do
in a culture of relative ease. For one reason or another, we don't feel the same urgency of living
our faith out as other of our brother or sister Christians around the world do. And it's not much of
a stretch to say that even Christians end up "beating up" our fellow servants or casting our lot with
the drunkards, if only metaphorically.
Pray today for a sense of urgency in living out your discipleship. Ask God to help you see that
there is a witness for you to give in our world, that there are people to feed with the good news of
the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that you desire to be found prepared when the Master comes.
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