One right after the other, Matthew 25 records some parables of Jesus that sober the soul.

They all show only two types of disciples — the faithful and the unfaithful.

Here are four verses (or excerpts) to chew:

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept” (5).

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things…enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (21).

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (34).

“Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee…and did not minister unto thee?” (44).

I am grateful to be forewarned and encouraged once again.

I commit myself to faithfulness.

Posted: December 2

Matthew 24 is a dreary, foreboding chapter. But Jesus does not leave us without hope.

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (12).

Please, not me. Or my families. Or my friends.

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (13).

Oh, may we live by His enduring grace!

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (22).

Talk about things getting bad! What terrible deception comes around the corner. But God doesn’t want to lose His people, so He will not allow them to struggle long with such deception.

“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (31).

I am so grateful for this hope.

And for these warnings:

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (42).

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (44).

May I live today in watchful readiness, allowing His enduring Word to determine my living.

Posted: December 1