Matthew - Week 77

Unprepared Servant 

READ 

Matthew 24:48-51 

48 “But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

Jesus told what it would be like for those not expecting His return. Those not ready would be assigned to a place with hypocrites. Jesus also referred to that place where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This is an expression used elsewhere in the New Testament. 

REFLECT 

Think of how terrible it will be not to be ready for the Lord’s return. One becomes ready by trusting in Him as Savior. 

RESPOND 

With a friend examine verses that mention the “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It appears six times in Matthew (8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; and 25:30). It is mentioned once in Luke (13:28). It will also be helpful to read the verses leading up to or surrounding these verses. 

Ten Bridesmaids 

READ 

Matthew 25:1-5 

1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” 

Jesus continued to emphasize the importance of being ready when He returns. He told the story of some being ready and others who were not. The occasion was a wedding and the group was waiting for the groom to return for the marriage feast to occur. When it became late they were tired from waiting and fell asleep.  

REFLECT 

Have you been at a wedding when you had to wait a long time for a reception to begin? What was that like for you? 

RESPOND 

Although the story includes several elements as it develops, remember that a parable, as with an illustration, is primarily making only one key point with perhaps some minor points. In this story it is that some were ready for Jesus’ return and some were not.  

The Bridegroom Is Coming 

READ 

Matthew 25:6-8 

6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7 All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’” 

Those not ready to meet the bridegroom asked for help from those who were prepared. The unprepared ones were desperate at this point to immediately get ready. The five wise bridesmaids had extra oil. What would they answer these who knew the bridegroom would return but were unprepared? 

REFLECT 

Imagine what you would do if Jesus was about to return and others asked you to help them get ready. What if there was not enough time for you to do anything to help them? 

RESPOND 

Although the Tribulation period is the focus of Matthew 25, talk with a fellow believer about helping others be ready to be caught up to heaven before the Tribulation begins. For those who want to put off making a decision, you could remind them of 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. Storms or an accident may not give enough time to decide to trust in Jesus. Hebrews 9:27 tells us there will be no second chance after death. 

Left Outside 

READ 

Matthew 25:9-11 

9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’” 

The wise bridesmaids who had brought extra oil explained they did not have enough for everyone. They told the others to go to a shop and buy some. The five unwise ones left to buy some oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and the wise ones who were ready were admitted to the marriage feast. The five unwise ones begged to be admitted. What would the bridegroom say? 

REFLECT 

Two of the saddest words are “too late.” Pray that your family and loved ones will trust in Jesus as Savior before it is too late. 

RESPOND 

This story tells about those who will be ready when Jesus returns to earth at the end of the Tribulation and others who will not be ready. The only way they can be ready is the same way others can be ready during the Church age for being caught up to heaven. It is by trusting in Jesus as Savior. No one is worthy. Romans 5:6-8 reveals Christ died for us when we were still sinners. 

I Don't Know You 

READ 

Matthew 25:12-13 

12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13 So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” 

This is Jesus’ answer to those who were not ready for His return. He says He does not know them, indicating they had never trusted in Him as Savior. Verse 12 serves as the major point for this story. Some were prepared for His return and some were not.  

REFLECT 

Think of this story as revealing Jesus is the bridegroom and at the end of the Tribulation some will be prepared for His return and some will not be.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a fellow believer about the present age portraying Jesus as the bridegroom and the Church—all who have believed in Him as Savior—as the bride. See Revelation 19:6-8 in this regard.