I think many of us struggle in the face of Jesus’ teaching in this, his last sermon to his disciples. It is urgent, it is blunt, it is confronting… and there is immense comfort. In this last moment, he turns from metaphor and parable to clear statement—this is what it will be like on judgement day. And there are some very significant, and deep, theological truths revealed here (the identity of Jesus, the reality of judgement, the nature of Jesus’ relationship with his people, the foundation for judgement). But there is also immense comfort—the entry into the kingdom remains the forgiveness of sins by Jesus (Matthew 1:21); the practice of the kingdom is so simple and obvious (caring for those in the kingdom); and there will be a day of judgement!
The logic of Jesus’ last teaching time with His disciples is clear: the end is coming; no-one knows that day; be alert, working… and now, in two clear parables, He teaches what that looks like.
In the parable of the virgins (vs.1-13), to be alert is to be prepared. And what does that look like? Well, I suspect it is to know Jesus and His words deeply, it is to know Jesus and His mob consistently, and I suspect it is to live Jesus and His truth daily.
In the parable of the talents (vs.14-30), to be alert is to wholeheartedly work with everything God has given you, for Jesus. And what does that look like? Well, I suspect it is not pew-warming, but pew-working – it is not just wafting through life as one of Jesus’ disciples; it is to be actively using whatever gifts, resources, and faculties (and opportunities) for the sake of Jesus, and the proclamation of His good news.
In his closing statement of the ‘woes’, Jesus asserts that Jerusalem will be ‘desolate’ (23:38). It seems an impossible statement when the magnificence of the Temple is considered. But, Jesus again asserts its truth: Jerusalem, and the Temple, will be razed so that no stone is left on another. The disciples are curious—when, and what sign? In his reply, Jesus makes clear that the fall of Jerusalem (which happens under Rome in AD70) is a microcosm of the return of Jesus at the end of the world—and the responsibility of God’s mob is clear: be ready and working when that day comes, by not being distracted, by praying, by proclaiming the kingdom of God. Don’t get distracted!
