The Messiah we need

Jesus was never the Messiah the Jewish people wanted he was the Messiah they needed.  Every action he took was out of love for all of us. Jesus had many followers. In Matthew 13:11 Jesus explains to his disciples that the reason he spoke in parables was to separate those who were disciples from those who were following him but not listening to his message. He reinforces this in the parable of the weed in Matthew 13:24-30. 

Throughout the gospels, Jesus challenged the way people thought what the Messiah should be and how the Messiah should act. This parable is another example of Jesus not fitting into the mold. When the disciples asked Jesus when he would return, he told them that no one but the Father knows the day or the hour.  Jesus did not stop there but as the wise teacher, he did provide them with guidance to be prepared for his return.

In the parable in Matthew 24:42-44 Jesus tells them that they should be ever vigilant because, like a thief in the night, His return would be unannounced. Those who are not ready for His return would be caught off guard.  They would lose something more precious than worldly goods. They would miss the opportunity to join Him in heaven for eternity. 

In the verses before the (Matthew 24: 26-41) parable, Jesus tell us about the signs that his return is soon.  This is an example of what Jesus says in John 3: 17-18(NIV)” 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

In the verses after the parable, He continues His teaching us to follow the Lord and to be about His work. His love and compassion are the underlying messages through the entire chapter as He sets us up to succeed and to be ready for the returning of the Lord while warning us of what is to come if we are not prepared.

prayer from David

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you. (Psalm 25:1-21 NIV)