I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Matthew 25. This Chapter is a practical guide for not just Christianity, but for life.  My breakdown:

Verses 1-13 – Be prepared while you wait, The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Verses 14-30 – Work while you wait, The Parable of the Ten Talents

Verses 31-46 – Judgement, The Sheep and the Goat

“At this time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in a jar along with their lamps. The bridegroom was long in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘There may not be enough for both of us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins that were ready went in with Him to the wedding banquet. And the door was SHUT. Later the others also came, ‘Sir, Sir!’ they said, ‘Open the door for us!’ But He replied, “I tell you the truth, I do not know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Verses 1-13). In the first parable Jesus reminds us all that we need to be prepared. Sometimes we take this life we live for granted, we make plans have expectations (which is not a bad thing), but we conveniently forget that God has said that life will not always be like this. We must be diligent to keep watch…we must be prepared. Once the door shuts the opportunity is gone. In the parable of the talents He reminds us that waiting does not mean sitting on our hands and swinging our legs. Our faith must be active, as we wait for what God has planned we must actively work, or we may hear this: “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew I harvested where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest” (Verses 26-27). The last portion of this Chapter is not a parable at all, it is more like a preview of what is to come it is judgement time and we will be judged by what we did with what we had, and on whether or not we were prepared. Life is much like a pass/fail class. Our success depends on two things, 1. How prepared we are. 2. What we do with what we are given.

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Matthew 23. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do NOT do what they do, for they do NOT practice what they preach. They tie heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to remove them” (Verses 1-4). The burden of religiosity. Jesus said do what they say. Why? Because they only read from the word of God. God’s word will ALWAYS accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11). But don’t follow their example. Ever heard the phrase, “Do as I say, but not as I do”? That’s what Jesus was saying to the crowd and His disciples. We tend to believe that Pastors and religious teachers are infallible, but they are human and prone to sin, just like you and I. So let God’s word be your guide. If it doesn’t line up with what the scriptures say to be true: don’t touch, don’t taste, don’t handle…walk away.