Invest Your Life

In the last few days before Jesus’ execution, his followers wanted to know what the signs of His return and the end of the world were. They had finally figured out that Jesus was leaving, but they didn’t understand that he was going to die and then return in the future. Jesus enumerated various signs and world events that would occur before his return. Because of the turmoil occurring in the world today, people are wondering and asking if the events are part of the signs that Jesus delineated. What I find interesting about Jesus’ talk with the disciples is the two parables that he taught while answering the disciples’ questions about the signs and the end of the world. Jesus was obviously trying to make a point through the parables. He was aiming to focus their attention. The first parable (Matthew 24:1-13) is about Ten Bridesmaids. There are details about Jewish weddings that are important for fully understanding the parable. Explaining the details would make this blog too long, and many would go on to the next thing on their FB page before finishing. The salient points are that the bridegroom took longer than the ten bridesmaids expected. Five of the bridesmaids were ready for the delay and five were not, they hadn’t taken enough oil for their lamps. (In 21st century lingo, the batteries died in their flashlights.) Jesus ended the parable with words you and I should take to heart: “Keep watch! You don’t know the day or hour of my return.” The second and longer parable (Matthew 24:14-30) is the Parable of Talents. In this parable, a landowner was going on a long trip. He gave into the care of three servants varying amounts of money. Two of the servants invested the money and earned for the master a return on the investment. The third servant hid the money left in his care in the ground, failing to invest and earn a return. Jesus interpreted the parable for the disciples with the line “to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given.” Combined, the message of these two parables is a challenge for every follower of Jesus. Be ready, you don’t know when I will return! While I’m gone, “use well” what I have given you. I’m expecting a return on my investment in your life. Don’t bury what I’ve given you in the ground, invest it!