Set you free
I supposed to be writing Part 4 of Who you are. Today, I was reading Matthew 24. I felt I should write about a few things.
When I see people predicting, prophesy the future of the end of days and how things are going to happen. I think to myself the glory has departed.
Why do I think that way?
Disciples come to Jesus and ask him when and what shall be the sign of the end of the world.
Matthew 24:3 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answers them and tells them the signs. While saying all this, He ends by saying “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Matthew 24:36 English Standard Version (ESV)
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[a] but the Father only.
Footnotes:
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Matthew 4:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son
When Jesus says that day and hour no one knows, why would try to find it out? What does it matter to me or concern me?
Why should I spend time contemplating it?
Now, you might ask, “Chandru, If that be as you say, why would Jesus tell disciples to tell these things to the disciples? He told the disciples because it is important to know.”
You have a valid point asking that. Read from verse 23 till 26
Matthew 24:23-26 English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.
26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
Did you see that? Exactly the point… If you see someone, so-called preacher/teacher/pastor talk about the end of days like they have figured out how Jesus is going to come. Flee from them. If they say Christ is here. Do not believe it.
Matthew 24:32-33 English Standard Version (ESV)
32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.
33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
You shall know the season you live in. But is the season so important?
Because in verse 36, Jesus clearly says…
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows,”
Why would try to know, when Jesus says I can not know. The only reason, I will try to know, is because I do not trust Him. If God says to me, do not eat from that tree of knowledge of good and evil, why would I want to know, what is in the tree? What is special about that one tree I should not eat? Why am I curious about that one tree God told not to eat.
Here is the simpler way to live by. If God says do not eat of that tree. I won’t. I do not need a reason or I do not have to understand ‘why?’. My Daddy said no, so I won’t because I trust Him. He knows something I do not. And I know all that He says for my own good.
So does it matter to know the day and the hour? What am I supposed to be doing, should not I be diligent?
Jesus knew you will have these questions. He goes on to say a parable.
Matthew 24:42-47 English Standard Version (ESV)
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 “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? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
What do you understand from the parable?
Jesus starts by saying in verse 42. I will use King James Version, so you will understand even further
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
You do not know, so watch, therefore. Be ready. How?
Imagine you wake up every day, assuming this is the day of the Lord. You wake up expectant. You do what is given unto you.
Matthew 6:34 English Standard Version (ESV)
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
If you live your life like the faithful and wise servant, who every day prepares the table for His master and takes care of the household, fellow servants. Giving them food at the proper time. That servant is expectant of His master every day.
Does it matter, if the master comes in 2 months, or 2 years or in 200 years?
It does not, he wakes up does what is set before him. Prepare the table, take care of the household, fellow-servants. Does he have to know when his Master returns? No, because the faithful and wise servant is ready every day.
Live, exactly that way. You do not have to know. Live every day for Him. Let the people who shout at street corners do the prediction. You do, what is given unto you. Do not look to the left or right.
I can not emphasize this enough. I do not have to, the Holy Spirit will guide you because He is the teacher, who will bring to remembrance the things Jesus has said.
Let us read one more parable.
Luke 12:35-40 English Standard Version (ESV)
35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,
36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
It does not matter, second watch or third watch. Master knows the time, you be ready every day.
Do you know why people who serve at tables are called ‘waiters’?
Because they wait and stand nearby and watch every movement of their master. If master drinks water, the glass is empty, they refill. They can not look to the left or right. They closely watch the master. When the plate is empty. They change and bring the desert. That is waiting. Actively waiting. Looking at the master.
Verse 37
Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
Do not look to the left or right.
Do you want to be free from evil?
Simple…
Proverbs 4:25-27 English Standard Version (ESV)
25 Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Keep eyes look directly forward at your Master, your Friend, your Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen.