The “salvation of the world” is top priority for followers of Jesus.
Matthew 25:13
SàSo you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or the hour of my return.
HàJesus tells this story about the kingdom of heaven. Its in the same discussion of Jesus speaking of the future along with a discussion about caring for the least of these that flows right into his death/resurrection and then the great commission. Jesus tells this parable and then orders His hearers to “keep watch” because we don’t know when the “return” of the bridegroom will be. This means that any attempt to focus on when the return will be is to focus on the wrong thing.
AàI guess my question this morning is what is the right thing to keep watch on? If I have no idea when the return will be what am I supposed to do in the meantime. This brings me to a reading this morning from Louis Evely that talked about God being interested in the salvation of the world while most Christians are obsessed with the “end of the world.” Shouldn’t followers of Jesus be obsessed with what He is obsessed with which seems to be the “salvation of the world.” Why is it then, that Christians spend more time obsessing over the “end of the world” instead of the “salvation of the world?” Isn’t the call from Jesus, to go and make disciples, a call to be obsessed with the “salvation of the world?” Perhaps the reason we obsess over the wrong thing is we don’t have enough oil in the lamp. Maybe if we spent more time searching the heart of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to pour out oil upon us instead of trying to prove why we are right and wasting oil we would grow closer to the heart of God and spend our time “keeping watch” working and proclaiming the “salvation of the world” through Jesus Christ.
PàLord, I pray that you would cover me in your blood today that my life might overflow with the pure oil of your love. I pray you would fill me that I would grow closer to your heart instead of my own selfish worldly obsessions. Empower me to be about your work of saving the world as I “keep watch” for your return. Amen.
EàGod is obsessed with the salvation of the world; therefore, so am I.
chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com
