The Final Feast

Based on Matthew 25-26, Psalm 21

Just as we discussed the gathering at the marriage, this passage talks about what will take place in the last days as well and how we can be prepared for the coming of The Lord. Some may think this does not apply to us, but remember way back when we compared today to the days of Noah? The days are very similar and the time is very short. No better time to get it right than right now!

There will indeed be a final marriage supper, and this passage also leads up to the final passover feast of Jesus and His disciples. Before this final feast together, Jesus emphasizes what will take place in the final days again. If it was important to mention then, then it's super important now! Here are some steps we can take to be prepared:

1. We need fuel!

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Matthew 25:1‭-‬4.

We need some Spiritual fuel to allow the light of Jesus to shine brightly through us. When we fuel the light, we will find our way: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105. Keep His Word fresh in your heart & mind, and you're guaranteed to find your way. If we want that door of heaven to open to us, we need to keep ourselves open to God. We can't afford to wait until the last minute!

2. We need fruit!

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey." Matthew 25:14‭-‬15.

Another comparison to what the kingdom of heaven is like! A man gave different amounts of talents to different men. The one with 5 actually multiplied his talents, so he saw the fruit if his labor. The second with 2 talents did the same. But the first buried his one talent in the earth.

To the ones who doubled their talents, the man said, "...Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21.

To the one who hid his talent, the man said, "...Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:" Matthew 25:26.

He then had to give his one talent to those others who put them to good use. After that, he was cast into outer darkness. We must be thankful for the abilities God has given us ask ourselves, how are we using what we've been given? Are we multiplying it? Are we bearing fruit? Are we using our resources wisely to help ourselves as well as others? Let's not waste our talents!

3. We need fellowship!

Here are some good ways to put those talents to good use:

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Matthew 25:34‭-‬36.

It's in fellowship with others! It's in sacrificing our time! When we are doing it unto others, we are doing it unto Jesus! Let's pray for one another to make time for these special opportunities. I know our families demand a lot from us already, but let's pray God frees us up for more. I really want to step outside my own little world more often than I do! He will give us strength to do greater things for His kingdom! It's what truly separates the sheep from the goats! ;)

4. We need to be faithful!

There was a woman with an alabaster box filled with expensive perfumes. In the presence of Jesus and His disciples, she poured it on Jesus in preparation for His coming death & burial. The disciples, especially the betrayer Judas, found this to be a waste. In reality, it was a great way to honor Jesus & a true act of faithfulness. She poured something worth so much to One worthy of all. She gave her most. That's true dedication and faithfulness!

Jesus said to His disciples: "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." Matthew 26:13. Yet, it was also done for a memorial of Jesus too.

...And now we come to the point of the final feast in this passage. The time when Jesus and His disciples broke bread & sat together for the last time. But, this isn't the end...remember, everything in preparation to this point was explaining how the disciples can keep going after Jesus leaves them. Everything they learned was everything they needed to teach until Jesus comes again. The message is a call for us to prepare as disciples as well! We are also called to a heavenly feast...but will we choose to be chosen? Take these steps of preparation!