“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” — Matthew 24:44
Introduction: What Would You Do If You Knew the Hour?
Imagine you had a calendar notification: “Jesus is coming back tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.” How would that change your day? Would your prayers feel different? Would you share your faith with someone you’ve been hesitant to talk to? Would you spend less time scrolling on your phone and more time in Scripture?
Lately, many people are watching closely. In Israel, the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah / Rosh HaShanah) is about to begin, marked by solemn shofar blasts and gatherings of hearts for repentance. Jewish tradition connects this feast with the sounding of the shofar, spiritual awakening, and the coronation of the King. Some are saying this fall feast could herald something more—some believe it might align with the Return of Christ, perhaps even as soon as this next week.
The truth is, Jesus told us plainly that no one knows the day or the hour of His return. But He did give us story after story—parables that reveal how His people should live until He comes again. And now, with the Feast approaching, the symbolism—the blowing of the trumpet, the call to repentance, the tension of expectation—feels especially poignant.
The point is not to calculate when, but to prepare our hearts for whenever. Below we’ll explore the parables Jesus gave us: lessons about oil, servants, sheep, talents, fig trees, thieves, foundations, and wedding feasts. Each paints a picture of what readiness looks like—and invites us to consider how we would live if today were the day.
Keep Your Lamp Burning – The Ten Virgins
In Matthew 25:1–13, Jesus described ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five were wise, carrying extra oil for their lamps. Five were foolish, unprepared when the call came at midnight. When the bridegroom finally arrived, the wise were ready and went in with him to the wedding feast, but the foolish were left outside.
This parable strikes at the heart of spiritual readiness. Oil in Scripture often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, faith, and devotion. To keep your lamp burning is to maintain a living, breathing relationship with Jesus — not a cold, mechanical religion, but an active faith marked by prayer, worship, and obedience.
Many of us assume we’ll “get serious” about God someday. But “someday” is not promised. The foolish virgins thought they’d have time to prepare later, only to find the door shut.
If you knew Jesus was returning at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, how would you prepare? Chances are, you wouldn’t rush to suddenly cram in a prayer or scramble to find “oil.” Instead, you’d realize readiness must be cultivated long before the trumpet sounds.
Application: Live in daily dependence on God’s Spirit. Stay filled with His presence through Scripture and prayer. Don’t wait until crisis comes to start seeking Him.
Stay at Your Post – The Faithful and Wise Servant
In Matthew 24:45–51, Jesus told of a master who left a servant in charge of his household. The faithful servant continued his duty, feeding and caring for others, while the wicked servant assumed the master’s delay, grew lazy, and even abused his fellow servants.
The difference between the two was not knowledge, but character. The faithful servant lived every day as if the master might return, while the wicked servant lived for himself, convinced he had more time.
This parable reminds us that readiness is not just about watching the sky for Christ’s return; it’s about doing the work He’s entrusted to us in the meantime. Faithfulness is seen in the small, daily acts of obedience — serving your family, encouraging a friend, praying for others, showing up in your workplace with integrity.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, would you suddenly start serving others with more urgency? Why wait? The faithful servant doesn’t delay love, justice, or care.
Application: Ask yourself — am I faithfully serving where God has placed me? Do I live with diligence and integrity, or do I waste time assuming I have endless tomorrows? Readiness means staying at your post, doing your duty with love until the Master comes.
Love in Action – The Sheep and the Goats
In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus spoke of the final judgment when He will separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The sheep are welcomed into eternal life, not because of lip-service faith, but because they served Christ by serving “the least of these” — feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned.
This parable teaches us that readiness for Christ’s return is measured in compassion. Our faith is revealed in the way we treat others. The goats, who ignored the needs around them, found themselves unprepared.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, wouldn’t you be eager to love people today? You might call someone who’s hurting, bring a meal to a struggling neighbor, or spend your time with those who need encouragement. You’d see every act of kindness as an offering to Jesus Himself.
Application: Ask yourself — how am I loving the “least of these”? Am I too wrapped up in my own comfort to see the hungry, the lonely, the forgotten? Readiness is not passive waiting; it is active compassion. Live as if every encounter with another person is an encounter with Christ.
Steward What You’ve Been Given – The Talents
In Matthew 25:14–30, a master gave three servants different sums of money, or “talents.” Two invested wisely and doubled their master’s wealth. One, however, buried his talent in fear. When the master returned, the first two were praised as “good and faithful,” while the fearful one was cast out.
This parable highlights stewardship. God has entrusted each of us with gifts, opportunities, and resources. The question is not how much we’ve been given, but what we do with it.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, would you bury your gifts in the ground — or boldly use them for His Kingdom? Many believers let fear, laziness, or comparison stop them from stepping out. But readiness means courageously investing what God has given.
Application: Take inventory of your talents — spiritual gifts, skills, resources, relationships. How are you using them for God’s glory? Don’t waste your time hiding what God entrusted. Live so that when the Master returns, He’ll say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Read the Signs – The Fig Tree
In Matthew 24:32–35, Jesus pointed to a fig tree. When its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know summer is near. In the same way, when we see signs of the times — wars, false teachers, increasing lawlessness — we know His return is drawing close.
This parable reminds us to live with spiritual discernment. We are not called to set dates, but to recognize that history is moving toward its climax in Christ. The world’s unrest is not random chaos but part of God’s redemptive plan.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, you’d live with urgency and clarity, recognizing that today’s struggles are birth pangs of His Kingdom. You’d stop wasting time on trivial pursuits and focus on eternal things.
Application: Ask yourself — do I live with awareness of the times? Or am I lulled into spiritual sleep by the distractions of the world? Stay alert, grounded in Scripture, and hopeful in Christ’s promises.
Stay Vigilant – The Thief in the Night
Jesus said His return would be like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42–44). Thieves don’t announce their arrival; they come suddenly. If the homeowner knew the hour, he would have stayed awake.
This parable highlights vigilance. Christ’s return will come at an unexpected hour. The question is not if, but when. And since we don’t know when, we must live ready at all times.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, you’d stay spiritually awake — no procrastination, no half-hearted discipleship, no compromise. But since you don’t know, you’re called to live every day with the same urgency.
Application: Stay spiritually alert. Guard against complacency, temptation, and distraction. Readiness is not about fear, but about consistent faithfulness.
Build on the Rock – Wise and Foolish Builders
In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus told of two builders: one built on rock, the other on sand. When storms came, only the house on the rock stood.
The foundation of your life matters. If your faith is built on convenience, culture, or comfort, it will collapse. Only a life anchored in Christ can withstand the storm.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, you’d double-check your foundation. You’d want to be sure your life wasn’t built on shifting sand, but on the solid rock of His Word and obedience.
Application: Ask yourself — what am I building my life on? Do I obey Jesus’ words, or just admire them? The storms of life and the return of Christ will expose the foundation. Make sure yours is rock-solid.
Accept the Invitation – The Wedding Feast
In Matthew 22:1–14, Jesus told of a king’s banquet. Invitations were sent, but many made excuses. One guest entered without proper clothes and was cast out.
This parable teaches us that readiness is not just about showing up — it’s about accepting the invitation and being clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Salvation is offered freely, but it requires a response.
If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, would you finally stop making excuses? Would you accept His invitation with joy? Would you make sure your heart was clothed with Christ, not self-righteousness?
Application: Don’t delay. Accept the invitation today. Put on Christ, not your own efforts. Live as a guest who has been graciously welcomed into the King’s feast.
Living as if Today Is the Hour
All these parables point to one truth: readiness is not about predicting dates, but about living faithfully every day.
- Keep your lamp burning.
- Stay faithful at your post.
- Love others in action.
- Use your gifts boldly.
- Read the signs with wisdom.
- Stay vigilant and alert.
- Build your life on the Rock.
- Joyfully accept God’s invitation.
If you knew the hour, your urgency would rise. But since you don’t, the call is clear: live ready, every moment.
Bible Grounds 