Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
Most people who desire to be good also desire to be faithful. We want to be faithful friends, spouses, and employees. Followers of Jesus want to be faithful servants to Him. What must we do to be faithful servants of our good Master?
The simple answer is that we must simply be obedient to do the things that Christ has asked us to do in preparing the way for Him. Why is this so difficult? Because this preparation must be done during a time of waiting.
Waiting is so hard. I’m about to have to renew my driver’s license, and I am not looking forward to the wait. Doctors’ Offices, traffic lights, and even the line at the ice cream shop can serve as places of testing. We are waiting for our King to return. In this difficult place of waiting, Christ expects that we will do the things that He has asked us to do to prepare the way for His return.
Jesus shows us in the following verses of Matthew 24 that those servants that fail to prepare, that get carried away by the cares of this world, and extend cruelty to their fellow servants, will find out the hard way that they were playing pretend all along.* These hypocrites will find themselves sharing the fate of those religious leaders of their day that played the role of Pharisee but had hearts far from God.* Calling Jesus Master isn’t enough if it’s just a game that we play. The waiting will expose what’s in our hearts. The produce of obedience will prove our posture toward Him.
It’s important to remember that while we are waiting for Jesus to return, He has not left us alone (John 14:15-27). The Holy Spirit is with us to comfort us, lead us, and empower us so that we can successfully prepare for the returning King.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember the simple things that He asked you to do in preparing the way for Him. Perhaps He wants you to feel the tension of the absence of Jesus in the waiting so that you can respond with expectant preparation. Maybe God wants you to allow Him to look into your heart today. Perhaps God wants you to remember that you have His Spirit with you.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 616–618, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 24:45–51).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).