For a long time, I have had this issue that I have prayed about inconsistently. It is one of those thoughts that are always there. It has to do with the peace that I have in spite of my health issues. There is this peace and contentment that is difficult to explain; it is a healing that I have experienced that is different than what the world calls healing. This morning as I prayed God gave me the answer as I was reminded of the parable about being ready, found in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 12.
In spite of the physical issues; the facial numbness, the balance problems, hindered speech, issues with focus under pressure or sometimes just standing I am healed. I am blessed beyond measure. I am content in my circumstances. My healing came the day I was born again in Christ Jesus. The day I gave my life to him and picked up my cross to follow him. This morning I saw it in the parable of the servants left in charge of the master’s house.
Be Ready
All three of these passages deal with the return of Christ. The parable is about the Master of the house leaving and the servants left in charge not knowing when he will return.
Matthew 24:36 (ESV)
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Mark 13:32-33 (ESV)
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Luke 12:35-36 (ESV)
35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.
I read these passages, and I know that they deal with the time of Christ’s return, but that is not the only place in my life they apply. The thing is, I do not know the number of days I have nor the circumstances that will affect my physical being, so I have a choice to make – be ready or waste my time whether it is one moment or one hundred years.
Dressed for Action
Looking at these passages, I was overwhelmed by what the Holy Spirit revealed through God’s Word. Matthews stopped me in my tracks. I read it over and over. I saw something I had missed or blended in with Mark and Luke’s versions of the parable.
Matthew 24:43-47 (ESV)
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
It is the question Jesus asks in verse 45 of the passage. I read this, and all I could think of was…
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
That passage leaves but one answer… Me… I am to share the Gospel. I like what Paul says to Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV)
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Also Peters counsel in 1 Peter 3.
1 Peter 3:14-16 (ESV)
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Reflections
I look at these passages and the Lord’s counsel, and I am humbled. In all this, He teaches us to be prepared for His return. He tells us to feed those around us the good news… the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. He warns us that we do not know the hour or the day that He will return. I would add that we do not know the hour or the day that we may well go home, and being prepared is more than staring at the door waiting for the knock of our master Jesus Christs return. It is a time to be sharing the Gospel of Jesus with friends and family as well as strangers. It is also a time to encourage one another. There are two passages that come to mind that encourage me.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
2 Peter 1:3-11 (ESV)
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit strengthens us and gives us the wisdom and courage to share God’s Word. God gives us His Church to strengthen and encourage us as well. It is much easier to face the challenges of life with your family than it is to face them alone. God uses all things to bring us contentment in our circumstances.
Be Content
Luke precedes the passage about being ready with not being anxious.
Luke 12:22-23 (ESV)
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
I will tell you; this was one of the things that took me the most time to shed when I came to the Lord, and most of it came with my strokes. I had spent my life as a workaholic worrying about my everything. I let go of some stuff that hindered me when I accepted Jesus, but I did not let go until I had no choice and Jesus showed me that he had everything under control.
Financial issues that concerned me were lifted. Worries about my health left as well. I looked at life differently. I began to understand a key passage in Luke 12
Luke 12:30-31 (ESV)
30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
I realized that God knows my needs better than I ever could. He showed me all I had, and it was far greater than I had been able to see. Before all the health issues I stressed over my job and so many other things. God helped me realize that the strokes healed my heart and mind. It taught me something Paul spoke of in Philippians.
Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I will be the first to admit that there are times when my worry gene will reignite that part of my personality. Especially in the midst of a change in my condition.
A couple of months ago I lost the feeling in the left side of my face, and that scared me. It came after a few days of really intense migraine headaches. But I held onto this passage in Philippians and worked through it. God gave me strength, and in the end, it worked out. It is a bit weird feeling, but it is ok, and this passage reminds me to be content.
Closing Thoughts
I am so thankful for all God has done in my life. I praise him daily. I am thankful for my wonderful wife Pat and all she is to me and all she does. I am thankful for my family and extended family. I am thankful for my Church and the family I have there.
As I close out this morning’s writings, I am taken back to that question Jesus asked in Luke.
Luke 12:42 (ESV)
42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
I am thankful that there was someone that stepped up and took that responsibility when I was young and needed nourishment, (I still am). I pray that I might do as well in those times when it is my responsibility. This one falls on us all.
Prayer
Father, I pray a prayer of thanks and praise for your holy Word and counsel. Father thank you for all that you reveal. I pray Lord that I might not squander the wisdom you share with me every moment of every day. I pray that I might share that portion with others every day and I pray this in Jesus name. Amen!
I have been reading Romans 1 for a while now. I have not strayed from it, other than to see cross-referenced text and commentary for over a week now. This chapter in Romans is pretty intense if you will take the time to look at it.