The most dangerous lie of the end times isn’t a false prediction; it’s the quiet whisper to your soul that says, “You still have plenty of time.” Jesus gave us this parable of two contrasting actions to challenge this lie, which we can easily slip into.
“Who, then, is the faithful and wise slave whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions” (Matthew 24:45-47).
One of the dangers of Christianity throughout the ages is the tendency to focus on privilege rather than responsibility.
Jesus’ followers are His servants—”slaves,” if you will. Slaves in the first century were often valued members of a household. Only some slaves found themselves working in the fields or mines. Household slaves were responsible for educating children, representing the master in business matters, and making sure the entire family structure was well cared for.
The household slave in Jesus’ parable showed his devotion to the master by serving other members of the family. The way we imitate this loyal slave is to follow Jesus’ command: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
Love of Neighbor is Not Optional
What happens when Jesus’ followers make too much of their privilege and too little of their responsibilities? The second example in this parable illustrates the serious need to be prepared through loving service.
“But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:48-51).
Not too long ago, I read a short story about the devil calling in his demons to find the best way to deceive humans into losing their souls. He praised one suggestion that involved tempting us to think we can live opposed to God’s purposes but have plenty of time to repent before we die.
The wicked slave seemed to take the bait of this demon’s suggestion. Instead of loving his neighbors in the same way he wanted to be treated, he mistreated them. Instead of giving God his full devotion, he made a god out of pleasures.
A Common Theme
There is a common theme in Jesus’ teaching about being ready for the end of the age: humans show their readiness in the way they treat one another.
Far too many people come to Jesus to avoid hell and to gain heaven. They rightly pray and invite Jesus into their lives for the forgiveness of sins and salvation. However, all too many stop at this point, believing they have secured an eternity in heaven.
This parable, and others that follow in Matthew, demonstrate that loving God and loving other people are not optional in Christianity.
John summarized this sober reality for us:
“Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also” (1 John 4:20-21).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Matthew 24:40-51 today on YouTube.
Real Voices 