Can you imagine how intense it was to be with Jesus the last week of his life? He was in danger of being arrested at any moment by officials who intended to kill him. But they couldn’t find a reason to arrest him, and there was no evidence to gather because he had never done anything wrong. All that kept them from carrying out their deadly plan was God the Father’s protection over his Son. They couldn’t lay a hand on Jesus until God allowed it.

This was the week of “last words” for Jesus. He gave vital instructions to his disciples and rebuked the Jewish leaders for their sins and failures. As the days went by he focused more and more on what would happen after he left the earth, telling his followers to be ready for the interval of time before his return.

He also told them to watch for the signs of his coming and stay ready to greet their Master.

The Signs of His Coming

The central responsibility Jesus’ followers had was to keep their eyes on the Savior, so they wouldn’t be led astray by counterfeits claiming to be him. It wasn’t going to be easy; there would always be a lot of speculation about him. Jesus described a very unsettling time in the world just before his coming.

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint in terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Luke 21:25-26

While people are trying to interpret these unusual phenomena in the earth and sky, Jesus will come back to earth and everyone will see him.

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” Matthew 24:30-31

It hasn’t happened yet . . . is this tremendous event really going to happen someday? Jesus said it would. He is the one who knows, he cannot lie, and his own words are the guarantee of his promise.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35

Watch for Jesus’ Return

No one knows when Jesus will return, “not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32

But there is an immutable divine plan for Jesus’ return. The timing will be perfect; everything in creation will be ready – except, perhaps, some of the people.

People have been left in charge of Creation, and they have been told that Jesus is coming back, but not everyone is staying alert and doing the job the Lord gave them.

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:33-37

Jesus compared the time of his second coming to the time of Noah. It took 120 years for Noah to build the ark, and for more than a century he explained God’s plan and prophesied the coming flood. But in the end only eight people got on the ark and were saved. Noah’s family were the only ones who believed God and were ready.

Taken Home or Left Behind

When Jesus comes and his angels gather his followers – from the four corners of the earth and from one end of heaven to the other (Matthew 24:31) – the people who are left behind will be surprised.

“That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in a field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:39-42

If we believe anything Jesus has said, we must believe this, too. Jesus is coming back to earth one day, everyone will see it when it happens. Many people will mourn because they didn’t believe he would really come, but those who belong to him will be full of joy and be taken to glory.

Everyone has an invitation to this great event, but not everyone is willing to accept it. Those who do accept Jesus’ invitation will be glad forever. They will be like the five bridesmaids who were ready to go when the bridegroom came to take them to the wedding celebration. They went into the party and joined the feast and the door was shut behind them.

Those who wait until too late to accept Jesus’ invitation will be like the other five bridesmaids. They weren’t ready to go when the bridegroom came so they were left outside when the door was shut.

What To Do While We wait

When Jesus went away to heaven he promised his followers abundant resources to fulfill their global mission. The Holy Spirit delivered these resources when he came at Pentecost, and they included all kinds of spiritual gifts. The Lord also provided the money for kingdom work through generous givers.

The Master entrusted spiritual gifts, natural talents, and money to his followers and Jesus likened these resources to bags of gold. He hoped they all would carefully invest what they were given and get a good return, but he knew there would be different results from different people.

Some of his followers would take what the Lord gave them and double its value. Others would sit on the investment and only have what they were given when the Master came. The Lord would prefer that they at least lent their gifts to others who might put them to good use.

Jesus got a great return on the investment of his own life. It’s a privilege to be invited to carry on what he started. Wise people will invest their lives well so someday they will hear their Master say,

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” Matthew 25:21

Where to Invest Your Gifts

We just read that Jesus expects us to invest our lives well, but what kind of investment is he looking for? Where are we supposed to put our time, talent and treasure?

Fortunately, Jesus spells out the answer in detail in Matthew 25:31-46. His answer is the same one God gave to Israel when he told them what would please him in the Old Testament: The Lord wants his people to invest in justice, mercy and love.

At the end of time the Lord is going to divide people into two groups. Those who are going to live with him forever will be on his right, and those who will be sent away from him forever will be on his left. The difference between the two groups is how they related to him in this life, and that is revealed in how they care for the ones he cares about.

The Lord looks for the evidence that we love him in how we love other people. Whatever we do for the sick, the hungry and thirsty, the poor and needy, and people who are languishing in prison, we do for Jesus. Jesus identifies with those people, he’s right there with them, hearing their prayers and answering through his followers. We are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world and when we touch needy people, we touch him.

Enjoy Eternity

If we really want to hear our Master say “well done” when we get to eternity, we will take what he has given us here and invest in the people he is most concerned about. We will work for justice, give mercifully, and care for the most disenfranchised people.

Jesus made our task simple. Take what he has given, follow his example and give what we have to those who need it most. That won’t earn us salvation, because salvation is a free gift from God, but it will earn us the Master’s approval and we will get to enjoy that throughout eternity.