Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
I bumped into an acquaintance of mine who is very serious about his observance of Jewish culture and tradition. We ended up talking about the bible and I asked if the resurrection is an important teaching in his tradition. “Not really,” he said, to my utter surprise. “Our teachings emphasize our life here and our necessity to prepare the world for the Messiah.” I admitted that I envied his cosmology. As far as American Christianity is concerned, it seems to be very much focused on individual salvation in the world to come and not sufficiently concerned with issues of injustice, pollution and other contemporary challenges to the way we live now. The people of God awaited for centuries the Anointed One of God, that is to say the God-sponsored heir to the throne of David. But they had suffered demise. In their exile in Babylon, the prophets’ faithful teachings of God’s promises had sparked a renewed sense of hope in the promised messiah. Even in the first pages of the bible, the book of Genesis recounts the judgment of God to the devil and promises one who will bruise the snake’s head (Gen 3:5), will bless all the families of the earth (Gen 12:3) and will rule over Judah be obeyed by the nations (Gen 49:8-10). To these the prophets witnessed, and with repeated announcements they reminded the people how the descendant of David will bring shalom to the earth (Is 9:6-7), will endure suffering and bear the people’s sins (Is 53:5-6), rule over Israel (Micah 5:2) and become the savior (Jeremiah 23:5-6). The people of God, through the Books of Moses and the subsequent teachings of the prophets, had learn to anticipate the coming of the messiah with a messiah-worthy attitude: wisely and faithfully preparing the world for his arrival. The Olivet Discourse (found in Matthew 24, 25 but also in Mark 13 and Luke 21) is a section of Jesus’ teachings concerning the work and attitude his followers should have on the face of the coming of the Son of Man. The constant warnings “keep watch (24:42),” “be ready (24:44),” “who then is the faithful and wise servant…(24:45)” give the hearer the emphasis needed to understand and interpret the parables. This watchfulness is faithful and wise: It is focused on duty and integrity rather than on opportunism and dishonesty. The servant who is only obedient when the master is around will be found out and punished. However, the faithful and wise servant does not need to keep watching the gate; by watching his conduct daily he will be found faithful and the master will reward him upon his return. The daily routines can become our only focus. Comfort and prosperity can lead us to irresponsible and abusive behaviors. But for the follower of Jesus there are no days off. Every day and at every moment we receive enough grace to remain faithful if we are vigilant and wise, preparing the world for the coming of the King.
Pastor Alejandro Sotres
