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Matthew 25:13

13"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.


Matthew 25 consists of one parable about being ready for Jesus' return, a second one about what to do while we are waiting, and an exhortation of what each looks like in practical terms. In the first two parables Jesus warns us that it will be a long time before He comes again. As we saw in the previous devotion and in the parable of the ten virgins, we are to live expecting Jesus' return to be at any moment while at the same time preparing for a long wait.

In the parable of the talents, the king is gone for a long time. Two of his servants work eagerly to multiply what he has given them, but one does nothing. The message here is that our time waiting for Jesus' return is to be spent wholeheartedly going about the assignments He gives us.

In the final exhortation, Jesus tells us what investing in the kingdom of God looks like. It is caring for others by feeding the hungry, meeting their needs, and visiting the sick and those in prison. Jesus tells us that when we do this for anyone, we are doing it to Him. He takes others' needs very personally. Our verse today puts it all together. Live every day as if it is your last. Be aware of the needs of others and meet them with the love of Jesus. Invest what God has given you in meeting the needs of others. While watching expectantly for Jesus' return, run the race of life with endurance.

Prayer: Lord, please give me the strength to endure and the will to serve, knowing that in ministering to others I am ministering to You.