Well done, good and faithful servant

How are you doing with the 2022 Bible reading plan so far? Today’s passage is found in Matthew 25:1-30, focusing on the second coming of the Lord. Are you ready is the question that flows from the passage.
 
I find the parable that Jesus tells in verses 14-30 to be straightforward. Jesus expects us to not only guard the riches found in the gifts and blessings He gives us, but we also need to use and grow what He entrusted to our care. It does not matter the size of what He gives us; only our good use of it.  
 
In verse 19, we learn that the time of accounting begins “after a long time.” It is easy to become complacent, even apathetic when we have to wait a long time. It is easy to become those things after a short time, isn’t it? We know Jesus is talking about His Second Coming, the Parousia. This verse implies that His coming and the eternal kingdom will be long delayed (see also Matt 24:48; 25:5).
 
Those who keep their eyes on eternity while living in this world and remain engaged in the Lord’s work will receive a reward like the faithful servants. Perhaps Jesus’ words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” is the greatest reward a loyal servant could ever want. Jesus uses the words good and faithful to describe a reliable person that is dependable and of good character. I want those words spoken of me when Jesus returns and for all eternity. I desire that reward for each person at Blainsport!
 
This Sunday, I plan to preach the message I intended to preach on January 9, when we needed to cancel for inclement weather. It focuses on our congregation’s value of community. I believe it runs parallel to today’s Bible reading plan passage. How are we using God’s gifts, abilities, and blessings as a church to grow His Kingdom in our community? I hope you can join us this Sunday, either in person or on Facebook Live.
 
As we participate in God’s Mission, we await even more reward than His words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Jesus invites His good and faithful servants into His joy! I appreciate how Grant R. Osborne explains this reward, “The master wants his slave to bask in his master’s joy at a job well done and to enjoy the rewards his master is piling on him.” Yes, we are only doing what the Lord requires of us, yet our willful obedience brings Him a joy that pleases Him beyond just the fulfillment of a requirement. He wants us to know how pleased He is when we agree with Him and do even more than His bare minimum command, “Watch over my property” (cf. 2 Pet. 1:5–11).

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