How to behave when left in charge
Matthew 24:45-51
45 ‘Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked slave says to himself, “My master is delayed”, 49 and he begins to beat his fellow-slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. 51 He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Even as Jesus said he did not know when the end would be (Matt 24:36) the does want us to take the end seriously. That is, to reflect on how we are living now, in this moment, between the ascension and Christ’s return.
Are we seeking the best for all the people waiting for Christ’s return? Are we ensuring they are treated well – getting food and being treated with care and compassion?
Jesus recognizes the temptation present in the long delay of his return. He knows it would be easy to say, “God doesn’t really see. God doesn’t really know. And even if God sees and knows, God isn’t doing anything about it.” It becomes easy to become self-centered, to take advantage of the delay for our own ends and purposes, to mistreat other human beings.
Jesus’ warning is that his return will be unexpected, catching people off-guard. To be awake (Matt. 24:42), alert to what is live in a way that shows care and compassion to others.
A great deal of time and energy is put into trying to work out the timetable of Jesus’ return. The books published on that topic fill many shelves in libraries. In today’s reading, Jesus invites us to put as least as much energy into living as “faithful and wise” followers of Jesus by showing care and compassion for others as we do in figuring out when the end will be. Following the Jesus’ way is the best way to be ready for the end, when Jesus returns.
PRAYER:
O Lord, we want to be faithful and wise servants of you as we await your return. Shape us so that our lives are lives in service of your coming reign, and in care and compassion for the followers of Jesus, here and around the world. In his name we pray. Amen.