JESUS' STORIES - PARABLES

These next Parables are stories about Jesus' return:

                                                            1. Watchful Servants                                                                   Mark 13:35-37; Luke 12:25-40.

"ALWAYS BE READY! Otherwise HE MIGHT COME BACK suddenly and find you sleeping. I tell you this to everyone: "BE READY!" Mark 13:36&37 (NCV)

"So you also must BE READY, because the SON OF MAN will COME at a time WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT HIM." Luke 12:40 (NCV)

                                                               2. Wise and Foolish Servants

                                                            Matthew 24:45-51 , Luke 12:42-48

"Who is the WISE AND LOYAL SERVANT that the Master trusts to give the OTHER SERVANTS  their food at the right time?" Matthew 24:45 (NCV)

"When the Master comes and FINDS THE SERVANT DOING HIS WORK, the SERVANT WILL BE BLESSED." Luke 12:43 (NCV)

                                                        3. The Ten Virgins                                                          Matthew 25:1-13

"At midnight someone cried out, "The BRIDEGROOM IS COMING! Come and meet Him! Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lampstands READY."                                                                                                              Matthew 25: 6&7 (NCV)

                                           13. WATCHFUL SERVANTS      
                                               

Jesus talked to His disciples about being WATCHFUL and PREPARED for HIS RETURN. He  tells them a story about a Master and His servants, whom he kept in charge of a household. He told them to be "vigilant and ready for is return". Jesus likened His disciples to these servants, and God entrusted them to be faithful as they waiting for JESUS RETURN!!

"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". Mark 13:35 (NIV)

"He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever HE COMES , He will reward His serants who ARE READY." Luke 12:38 (NLT)

"Watchfulness and active service go hand in hand." Max Lucado 

14.   THE WISE & FOOLISH SERVANTS

Jesus tells the second Parable of the Wise and Foolish Servants.  Like the previous parable which speaks of WATCHFULNESS in JESUS COMING, this one speaks of FAITHFULNESS. The master gives his servants responsibilities and duties while he is away.  The WISE SERVANT carries put these duties; while  the FOOLISH SERVANT mistreats the fellow servants, thinking the master will be delayed. 

When the master returned he "rewarded" the WISE, FAITHFUL SERVANT, and he made him "ruler over his possessions"  The FOOLISH SERVANT was punished for his drunkenness and "negligance". 

Jesus again told his disciples that they needed be "vigilant and faithful" , knowing the day and hour of His return.

"If the MASTER RETURNS and finds the SERVANT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB, there will BE A REWARD. I tell you the truth, the MASTER will PUT THE SERVANT IN CHARGE of all HE OWNS...... When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been ENTRUSTED WITH MUCH REREQUIRED." Luke 12:43,44 & 48b (NLT) 

"JESUS IS COMING! He loves you with an everlasting love, and he will never be turned off by your bad choices. He wants to give you the opportunity to make the RIGHT CHOICE - receive God's GOD'S LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE." Max Lucado. 

                                        15.  THE TEN VIRGINS

"At that time, the Kingdom of Heaven will be like 10 Virgins who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were FOOLISH and five were WISE. The FOOLISH ONES took their LAMPS but not their OIL with them. The WIISE ONES however, TOOK OIL IN JARS, with their LAMPS. The bridegroom, was a long time coming and they fell asleep."  Matthew 25:1&2 (ESV)

The Watchman tells that the Bridegroom (Jesus) is coming. But only the WISE VIRGINS HAD OIL FOR THEIR LAMPS. While the FOOLISH WENT OFF TO BUY OIL the BRIDEGROOM CAME. The virgins with lit lamps followed Him, but the foolish ones missed out. 

Jesus reminds us, that like the WISE VIRGINS we need to BE READY. We need to live a live a life of OBEDIENCE and LOVE for Jesus. We also need to LOVE OTHERS. 

"Ultimately, it's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know! Have a personal relationship with the bridegroom (Jesus)." Nicky Gumbel

This is the last of Matthew's & Luke's teachings on JESUS' speaks about his RETURN. He  talks with His disciples again, preparing them to be "ready for His return." We don't need to be afraid of judgement day, because we know that our sins have been FORGIVEN, "blotted out and remembered no more". We can surrender our lives to Christ, sharing our JOY!  But you do need to KEEP WATCH!

"So always BE READY, because you don't know the day the Lord will come.".....So YOU ALSO MUST BE READY because the Son of Man will come when you don't expect Him....No one knows the DAY OR HOUR , not even the angels in Heaven, not even the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36,42,44 (NCV)

"Come to Jesus, and LAY YOUR PAST AND FUTURE INTO JESUS' HANDS."                  Max Lucado

"The Holy Bible: New Century Version", 2005, Thomas Nelson

"The Holy Bible: New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible: Living Translation", 2015, Tyandale House Foundation

"The Holy Bible: English Standard Version", 2001, Crossway/Good News Publishers

"Parable of the Watchful Servants - Jesus is Coming Back", 2025, Word if Life Children's Bible Stories

"Jesus is Coming Soon", 2014, Matt Duncan (Tenor), Ben Duncan &  Caleleb Koble (Lead/Baritones), Josh Koble (Bass);  Redeemed Quartet, Gospel Classic/You Tube. 

LUCADO, Max, "The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus" - (2003), Thomas Nelson;    "Just Jesus", 2024, Gateway Church

GUMBEL, Nicky & Pippa, "The Bible in One Year" (2009/2025) Alpha International/New Version