Tag Archives: Preparation

Be Prepared!

Posted on by under Christian Living

Matthew 24     Louis Pasteur once said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”  We know that whatever we are doing, things generally go better if we are prepared.  Imagine needing brain surgery, and the person who is to perform the operation has been awake for the last 48 hours and has just graduated from high school.  They are not prepared for what is about to occur, and we should have great hesitation in submitting to their surgery.

     It is vitally important that we are prepared for what is to come when this life is over.  Jesus says much regarding our need for preparation in Matthew 24-25. First, He tells His disciples of the signs that will accompany the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (Mat. 24:4-35).  They will need to heed the signs and get out before the Roman army seals them in to destroy the city. Second, He tells them of the dangers of making no preparation for His second coming (Mat. 24:36-44).  People will be going about their daily lives as they had before the flood. “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Mat. 24:37).

     Third, He tells of the danger of delaying their preparation (Mat. 24:45-51).  Like the evil servant who is doing wrong, thinking he has plenty of time before his master returns, they will be caught unaware because they have delayed their preparation for His return. Fourth, He tells of the danger of partial preparation (Mat. 25:1-13).  Here the five foolish virgins did not bring any oil with them to keep their lamps from going out.  They were not fully prepared, and they were locked out of the wedding as a result. Fifth, He shows both proper and improper preparation in the parable of the talents (Mat. 25:14-30). Lastly, Jesus shows what the results of our preparation will be (Mat. 25:31-46).

     Jesus has much to say about the subject of preparation in these two chapters.  There is an eternal consequence to our preparation for that world to come.  We need to be prepared.  We cannot delay, because we do not know when He is returning (Mat. 24:36, 42, 44).  Our preparation needs to be complete and proper.  Only then can we have that reward with Him in heaven.

Graduation Day

Posted on by under Current Events

10408708_292224034286727_3125514176653518821_n     Well, it’s that time of year again. Young men and women all across the country are completing one phase of their life and are preparing to move on to their next step. It is scary to leave what we know for the unknown, but it is also exciting to begin something new. Someday each of us will face a similar transition as we graduate from this life and move on into eternity. Thus we should also look to prepare ourselves for that graduation day.

     We see that Jesus spoke of this time of transition when He told His disciples that He would separate mankind as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32ff). In every graduation ceremony there are those who achieve honor by graduating with high grades or perhaps being named valedictorian. Likewise we see that Jesus will reward the faithful by bidding them to, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34b NKJV). Sadly those who fail at life’s test will meet a far different end, as they will depart into everlasting destruction, which is reserved for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).

     Therefore, just as it is important for the student to prepare himself so that he may graduate with honors we also should prepare ourselves by living faithfully for that Great Day to come. Our future depends upon what we do in this life. Graduation day is approaching, are you ready?