Sharing Bread Matthew 24:45-51

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶ It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. ⁴⁷ I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁸ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ ⁴⁹ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. ⁵⁰ The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. ⁵¹ He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matt 24:45-51 (NIV)

The Lord Jesus here gives us yet another warning regarding His Second Advent in our verses for today.  He contrasts those keenly anticipating His arrival with those who are unprepared and caught off guard – the faithful and the faithless.  Those ready for His return will find it comforting and happy yet for those who are not longing for His appearing – who willingly choose flesh over faithfulness – His coming will be very dismal and dreadful. He represents these two with the terms of the good and the bad servants.

The faithful servants are those who use their vessels to carry the Gospel to their spheres of influence through their words and actions.  They are trustworthy in their duty.  They go about bringing the light, the salt and the Truth of the good news to each encounter and every opportunity presented - without respect to persons.  They are guides for the blind, comforters for the hurting, encouragers for the downtrodden, and they nourish the hungry soul with the sound and wholesome food of God’s Truth.  They bring the hands and feet and mouth of Jesus to others – seeking Christ’s honor rather than their own.  They bestow blessings and peace as they constantly carry Jesus to the scene in their jars of clay. Honesty and wisdom are the faithful’s constant companions.  These servants continue to persevere in this holy work until the Lord returns or He takes them to be with Him – whichever comes first.  Peter describes the actions of the faithful in the following way:

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.   1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

 

"God does not honor men and women and their deeds or their books or their organizations.  The Father in heaven delights to honor His Son.  It is only the Life of the Lord Jesus - His activity, clothed with you and displayed through you - that ultimately will find the approval of God."        Major Ian Thomas

Jesus also tells us that it is good for Him to find us faithful upon His return.  Those, He states, will be given greater honor and glory which far outweighs any paste gems this world offers. The faithful who thus distinguish themselves so will on that great day be dignified and distinguished by the Lord Jesus.  We never out give God.  Also, it serves us well to remember that the One who gives the power and ability is the One who deserves all the glory and honor – hence we lay our crowns at His feet.

Next the Lord describes the faithless – the vilest of creatures is a wicked man and the vilest of men is a feigned Christian – a hypocrite – one wearing a mask of piety.  The delay in Christ’s return – though it is a great display of His mercy and kindness in desiring none to perish but all to come to repentance – is, to these wicked men, an opportunity to greatly abuse His patience.  These faithless are slaves to their passions and appetites disgustingly persecuting others under the pretense of the Master’s authority.  Yet, their putting off the thoughts of the Master’s return will not put off His sure coming – no matter how they fancy deluding themselves.  The coming of Jesus will be a dreadful surprise to the confident and careless sinner as He will come when they least expect it and then repentance will be too late.  “Weeping and gnashing of teeth” – the soul’s tribulation and anguish under God’s indignation and wrath - are in store for those who persist in these ways.  He, who is now the Savior, will then be the Judge.  The everlasting state of the children of men will be as He appoints.

 

¹⁵ “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”   Rev 16:15 (NIV)

“You cannot be your own Saviour, either in whole or in part.”   Hudson Taylor        

“God is the God of promise.  He keeps His Word, even when that seems impossible.”   Colin Urquhart

 

What I glean from this:

 

·       I am to be found faithful when the Lord Jesus returns.

·       The end of all things is near and I am to remain clear minded and self-controlled.

·       I am to go in the power of Jesus.

 

 

 

Sharing Bread Matthew 24:42-44

SHARING BREAD

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Matt 24:42-44 (NIV)

In our verses for today the Lord Jesus demands a constant vigilance of being watchful and prepared for the decisive day of His appearing.  We are to be carefully watchful regarding our times as none of us knows the day or hour when He will return or the day or hour which will be our last.  The wording translated “keep watch” is from the Greek word “Gregoreuo” meaning “a mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps  one from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible – New Testament Lexical Aids.  Indeed, these are the same Words Jesus gave to His inner circle – Peter, James and John – in the Garden of Gethsemane – followed by a warning of the spirit being willing yet the flesh being oh so weak (can anybody else besides me relate to this??).  To be sure, this is our hour to keep watch:

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”   Matt 26:39-41 (NIV)

 

“Oh that I may be roused out of my slumber, and be watchful and ready against the coming of my Bridegroom...Even the wise virgins fell asleep.  Let this be a warning to me, O Lord.  Set thou a guard before my eyes, ears, and other faculties, lest the world again should enter through these avenues of the heart; if the spark be not speedily extinguished, it will soon break out into a flame:  thus sin is of a progressive nature, and its venom spreads very quickly and very wide, unless it be stopped and opposed in time.  Watch, therefore, over this unsteady heart of mine, O Thou Keeper of Israel; that as soon as it begins to wander from Thee, I may be alarmed to flee from sin as from a serpent.  Give me grace to look upon every hour as my last; so that being ever wisely upon my guard I may meet Thee with joy when my time is run out, whenever it shall please Thee to call me hence.”   K. H. Von Bogatzky

 

We need only to examine Peter’s heart breaking over his actions after the rooster crowed to see the effects of his drowsiness, his lack of alertness to the hour – if he had only kept watch the story would have perhaps had a happier ending for him. It behooves the child of the King to be prepared. The Lord Jesus’ followers are to be ready for He will return unexpectedly – as a thief in the night.  Luke’s writing on this passage encourages us further:

 

³⁵ “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. ³⁷ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ³⁸ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. ³⁹ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  Luke 12:35-40 (NIV)

“He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.”   John Tillotson

The Apostle Paul gives us warning regarding our watchfulness as well, charging us to wake up from our slumber.  This is our time for spiritual vigilance and industriousness and there is a great need for alertness.  A sinful state is compared to sleep – senseless and inactive while a gracious way is compared to watching and waking.  We are to behave in keeping with our enlightened condition ever prepared for the Lord’s coming.  This is logical for us to behave in such a way (as it is for our good) and it is also our duty (as it is commanded).  Interestingly, God never commands anything of us that is not for our ultimate good:

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.   Romans 13:11-12 (NIV)

 

³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.  1 Thess 5:3-6 (NIV)

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.  O, Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight.  The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so it is well with my soul.  It is well, with my soul.  It is well, it is well with my soul.”    Horatio G. Spafford

What I glean from this:

·       This is my hour to “keep watch”.

·       I am foolish to live as taking no care for eternity.

·       God never commands anything that is not for my ultimate good.

 

  

 

 

  

Sharing Bread Matthew 24:36-41

SHARING BREAD

³⁶ “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

Matt 24:36-41 (NIV)

“The uncertainty of the time of Christ’s coming, is, to those who are watchful, a savour of life to life, and makes them more watchful; but to those who are careless, it is a savour of death to death, and makes them more careless.”    Matthew Henry

One can only imagine the jeers, abuses and slights Noah received as he worked on his God given calling of building an ark prior to the universal deluge by God’s command.  Although God will mercifully contend for a long time with man’s choice of depravity, He will not always contend.  The unbelief of mankind will not make God’s threats of no effect.  Surely Noah’s onlookers had to have been scratching their heads over this boat builder’s actions.  More than likely, no rain had occurred on the earth and they were certainly not near the beach.  They had to be thinking he had lost his mind and all the while he warned them of the impending doom.  Yet no one turned.  Then the rain came.  And, Scripture states, “Every living thing that moved on the earth perished” (Genesis 7:21A).  The writer of Hebrews adds the following insight regarding Noah:

⁷ By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.   Heb 11:7 (NIV)

Noah was righteous because he believed God and in holy fear obeyed God’s command to build the ark.  We act on what we believe.  In so doing, he saved his family as well.  God always maintains a remnant – hallelujah!   Interestingly, Luke describes another example of the limit to God’s forbearance regarding man’s sins in the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and gives us fair warning as well:

²⁸ “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ²⁹ But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.”  ³⁰ “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. ³² Remember Lot's wife! ³³ Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. ³⁴ I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”  Luke 17:28-35 (NIV)

Heads-up – when we remain oblivious to God’s ways, hardened, indifferent, materialistic, and self-indulgent we are not prepared for God’s ultimate judgment (to say the least!).  Confidence and sensuality are likely to be extremely epidemic in the latter days (sounds a lot like our times).  The sensual and worldly are so engrossed and preoccupied with fleshly lusts and matters – so entirely set on the delights of the senses - they have no regard for the Word of God and sadly, their confidence of peace and safety will end in their ruin and destruction.  Careless, confident and sensual, they refuse to heed the call of repentance from a long suffering God – choosing rather to blind their own eyes and stop up their ears to the Truth. They were so taken by the things seen they had neither time nor heart to mind the things unseen for which they were repeatedly warned.  May that not be our case as well.  The Day of Judgment is never further off for men’s putting it off yet they remained clueless and did not realize it until it was too late to prevent their destruction.  Judgments are most terrible and amazing to those secure in their own flesh.       

“He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary fool, he is a madman……Be ready, servant of Christ, for thy Master comes on a sudden, when an ungodly world least expect Him.  See to it that thou be faithful in His work, for the grave shall soon be digged for thee.  Be ready, parents, see that your children are brought up in the fear of God, for they must soon be orphans; be ready, men of business, take care that your affairs are correct, and that you serve God with all your hearts, for the days of your terrestrial service will soon be ended, and you will be called to give account for the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or whether they be evil.  May we all prepare for the tribunal of the great King with a care which shall be rewarded with the gracious commendation, ‘Well don, good and faithful servant’.”   Charles H. Spurgeon

What I glean from this:

·       The time of Christ’s coming is uncertain – I am to be ready for my Master’s sure return.

·       God mercifully contends with man’s sin for a long time – desiring none to perish but all to come to repentance – yet He will not always contend.

·       I am foolish if I do not prepare for eternity.

  

 

Sharing Bread Matthew 24:32-35

SHARING BREAD

³² “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ³³ Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. ³⁴ I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Matt 24:32-35 (NIV)

Jesus’ Words here bring to mind the Prophet Isaiah’s on the sureness and certainty of God’s Word which never fails, enduring forever:

⁸ “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”   Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.    Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)

 

The Word of Christ is more lasting and sure than the heavens and the earth.  In God’s time and in God’s way – every Word will be fulfilled - perfectly.  The uncertainty of the exact time of Christ’s coming should make us more watchful, expectant and prepared not carelessly wasting our lives merely delving into the satiety of the world and the flesh.

 

“The way to disengage the heart from the love of one object is to fasten it in positive love to another.  It is not by exposing the worthlessness of the former, but by addressing the worth and excellence of the latter that all old things are to be done away and all things are to become new.  The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the expulsive power of a new one.  Thomas Chalmers

“If you keep in step with God, be out of step with the world.”   Anonymous

 

Christ’s Words are pure and sure.  He tells us earlier in Matthew that He came to fulfill all the Law.  He fulfilled it by obeying it perfectly as well as fulfilled the prophets’ predictions of the coming Messiah and His kingdom therefore what remains predicted to come is a surety:

 

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”   Matt 5:17-18 (NIV)

 

In our verses for today, Jesus begins to apply what He had been teaching by giving us a heads up to discerning our times.  Our Lord states practical applications of His previous predictions – we must both expect and prepare for the events He has foretold.  Just as we can be certain that summer is not far away when the leaves come forth on the trees and its twigs become tender so also we can be assured that when we see all these desolations fast approaching – His coming is not far off.  Indeed, judgment is right at our door.  In view of this certain hope of Christ’s soon return believers are to ready themselves.  James warns us:

 

“The Judge is standing at the door!”   James 5:9 (NIV)

 

Peter adds his words as well regarding Christ’s coming return in an effort to stimulate us towards wholesome thinking and holy living:

 

³ First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵ But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶ By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷ By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. ⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. ¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.   2 Peter 3:3-13 (NIV)

“God has given us a short time here upon earth, and yet upon this short time eternity depends.”   Jeremy Taylor

“Time is short.  Eternity is long.  It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.”  Charles H. Spurgeon

What I glean from this:

 

·       God’s Word never fails – never returns empty but always accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent.  His Word endures forever.

·        Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly as well as fulfilled the predictions of the coming Messiah and His Kingdom by the prophets therefore what remains predicted to come is a surety.

·       I am to prepare for eternity now.

Sharing Bread Matthew 24:29-31

SHARING BREAD

²⁹ “Immediately after the distress of those days
‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’”

³⁰ “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. ³¹ And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

Matt 24:29-31 (NIV)

In our verses for today, our Lord describes the end times where the world has become the domain of Satan’s man, the Antichrist – the lawless one and the ill effects that will most certainly ensue from his reign.  It will be a dreadful and dire time to be sure.  The earth will be replete and reeling with false prophets, counterfeit miracles, signs, wonders and every imaginable evil.  Where spiritual corruption is rampant (Sodom and Gomorrah ring a bell??) judgment soon follows.  Paul speaks of this in 2 Thessalonians:

⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.    2 Thess 2:7-10 (NIV)

 

“Satan doesn’t surrender his prey without a fight.  He comes racing after the converted soul, chariot wheels churning the dust, seeking to discourage you, to defeat you.  He pursues you with the intensity of Pharaoh.  He may use your old friends, a spot of persecution, or discouraging responses by your family.  He may show you a hypocrite in the church or afflict you with a general slacking of zeal.  He may launch a missile of temptation right at your heart or fire a volley of trials and troubles into your life.”  Robert J. Morgan

Immediately following the distress of those tumultuous times, the Lord Jesus will return – Hallelujah!  His entrance to the earth will be preceded as well as accompanied by unusual displays in the heavens – a darkened sun and moon, stars falling from the skies, heavenly bodies shaken – a frightful sight for all occupying earth at that time.  It will be a visible change such that the entire world must take note of – FOX and CNN will be going crazy.  These signs in the skies are prophesized throughout the Old Testament.  The Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel pen:

⁹ See, the day of the LORD is coming --a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-- to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. ¹⁰ The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. ¹¹ I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.   Isaiah 13:9-11 (NIV)

 

⁷ When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. ⁸ All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you; I will bring darkness over your land, declares the Sovereign LORD.   Ezek 32:7-8 (NIV)

 

The sure consequences of rampant evil are not too dissimilar to the time of righteous Noah when God had the waters flood the earth.  The earth was corrupt and full of violence and Scripture states God was grieved over making mankind:

 

⁷ So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.   Gen 6:7-8 (NIV)

 

Indeed, Jesus states in this same chapter of Matthew a few verses later the comparison between the timing of God as in Noah’s day with the timing of Jesus’ return.  Remember, all but Noah and his family was taken by surprise:

 

³⁶ “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.   Matt 24:36-39 (NIV)

 

Jesus’ coming is a certainty my friends and as the timing is unknown, we best be ready for if then Christ is not your Savior, He will be your judge.   

“He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.”   John Tillotson

What I glean from this:

 

·       Prior to Jesus’ return the earth will be filled with all sorts of evil and distress.

·       Satan does not surrender his prey without a fight.

·       I am to be ready for Jesus’ return.