April 2, 2010
SAVE THE DATE!
Matthew 24:32-51
Judy Wimberley
Central Truth
Facing His death in a few days, Jesus is thinking far ahead to a wedding— His wedding—and His love for His bride.
Key Verse | Matthew 24:36
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Matthew 24:36)
Matthew 24:32-51
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
32 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
No One Knows That Day and Hour
36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, 1 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 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, 2 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50 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. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants 3 24:49 Or bondservants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Dive Deeper | Matthew 24:32-51
A Jewish wedding in biblical times helps me understand the heart of this prophecy. After engagement, a bridegroom returned to his father's house. For the wedding ceremony, he took his bride from her father's house (usually at night), and while he was expected, no one knew the exact hour. The bridegroom returned with his bride for a grand seven-day party at father's house, but the bride remained veiled. After seven days, the bride was presented, and the union was not to be put asunder.
After His resurrection Jesus returned to His Father's house to prepare for His bride (believers who are dead in Christ and believers who are alive). One day, He will take us back to His Father's house. This rapture will be followed by a "week" of seven years of terrible times on earth. This also will be a time of reengagement with Israel.
Jesus' prophetic words here are a loving warning to the people alive on the earth during this terrible time to be looking for His physical return to earth. Imagine His words as a series of YouTube clips:
1) An observer noticing budding fig tree hurries for sunscreen.
2) Noah building the ark while surrounded by merry crowds eating, drinking, and marrying with no concern for the Bread of Life, the Living Water, or the Eternal Bridegroom.
3) Newscast showing images of homeowners behind locked doors with TV scroll warning of possible thief attack.
4) A restaurant scene contrasting good waiter and very bad waiter.
Jesus is not entertaining His followers, but warning them that the Bridegroom will be returning soon to present His bride and set up His 1,000-year Kingdom headquartered in Israel. Afterward, Satan will be cast into the everlasting pit, and the Bridegroom and His bride will be together forever after. This wedding has cost the Father a great price.
We can't send Save the Dates with an exact date, but we can save the date by being expectant, alert, prepared, faithful, and pure as a love response to our Bridegroom every day. He is coming at any time. This wedding's on!
Discussion Questions
1. If you have not accepted the Bridegroom's proposal, will you talk to someone who can answer questions for you or join an Explorer group?
2. Is there someone that you can tell about His proposal?
3. Are you waking up thinking "wedding" and comparing your daily "to-do list" with the biblical fact that "He is coming"? How would that change your daily priorities?
4. Take a moment to pray for Israel and its people—that they will reengage with their Bridegroom.
5. Are you keeping yourself pure as His bride? Reading Proverbs is a practical way to keep pure our minds, hearts, tongues, hands, and feet.
6. When you observe the Lord's Supper, do you remember what it has cost the Bridegroom to propose? Do you look forward to the great marriage dinner of the Lamb, which He will share with all who belong to Him?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Reread verses 42-50. How does God want us to live while we wait for Jesus’ return?
2. What would this look like for your family?