The End.

"Blessed is the slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives."

(Matthew 24:46)

THE END. Every story has one. The really good stories have epic endings that we remember. Sometimes they're extremely satisfying... sometimes they catch us off guard... sometimes they make us angry. But every story has SOME kind of ending (even if it's "to be continued...").

The 24th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew is all about "the end." The end of time. Jesus' return. That moment when God will set everything "right," and the world will be the way God intended when we were created. The chapter begins with Jesus alluding to it, and the rest of the chapter fleshes it out... kinda. The disciples ask the question we all want to know: "WHEN?!?!?"

Jesus was very clear: "I can't tell you." Actually, he said they need to expect things to get difficult. Persecution, torture, and even death would await some. But "the one who endures will be saved" (v.13). He goes on to say that NO ONE KNOWS when this will happen (v.36), only God. So in the meantime, "Keep awake!" (v.42). Be alert. Pay attention. Which is good advice and all... but better advice comes in v.46: "Blessed is the slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives." It's one thing to "keep awake"... and another to "be at work" for the Kingdom. (BTW, 'slave' is another word for servant... and as Christians, we're called to serve others in the tradition of Jesus, the Suffering Servant.)

Each of us has a different role in serving the Kingdom. Only a few of us are ordained as pastors and shepherds, but ALL of us can be "in ministry" (in our homes, workplaces, communities, etc.). The challenge is figuring out how God has gifted us... and where we can use those gifts. When at our best, the church can be that place - but it isn't always. For some of us, we might need to be "working" in drawing closer to God... spending time connecting through prayer, worship, scripture, Christian community (ie. small groups), etc.

May each of us "be at work" for the Kingdom... without worrying about when "the end" will come. That's not our job to figure out. Instead, let's love God & our neighbor will all we have. Amen.