Matthew 25. (The Parables of the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the Sheep and the Goats). Before the parables, Jesus in Matthew 24:36-51 describes His return as happening on an ordinary day, while people go about their daily routines. It will be sudden, like a thief in the night. So how can we live wisely? Jesus says by being ready (24:44). Jesus uses three parables to show what being ready looks like... Guarding what you have In Jewish culture, well-oiled lamps were needed to complete nighttime weddings. Losing oil and heading off to buy some is like losing the rings and heading off to buy some during your ceremony. Therefore, readiness, as shown by the wise virgins (v10), looks like guarding what you have. Notice where they are called wise: V4 “The wise took oil” V8-9 “The foolish asked the wise for oil, and they said ‘No...
Luke 15. (The Parables of the Lost…Sheep, Coin and Son). The three parables were Jesus’ response to a criticism from the Pharisees. They saw that tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus, and that He welcomed and ate with them (v1-2). And Jesus likened the tax collectors and sinners who had gathered around Him to something important that was lost (v3-32). Can you recall a time you lost something important? I once arrived at the airport and realised my passport wasn’t in my jacket. I thought, could I have forgotten it? In the middle of the check-in area, with everyone stirring, I emptied my hand luggage; my clothes, bank cards, documents, laptop, and everything else were scattered all over the place. I finally found my passport, which I had hurriedly packed with my clothes. Out of excitement, I yelled, “Yes, found it!” A few people began to clap. It was quite a sce...