Be Spiritually Ready for the Return of Christ
Matthew 25 continues Jesus’ teaching about His second coming with the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise. Five were foolish. The wise took extra oil with their lamps, while the foolish did not. When the bridegroom delayed:
“They all slumbered and slept.” — Matthew 25:5
Then, at midnight, the announcement came:
“Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” — Matthew 25:6
The foolish virgins discovered that they were unprepared. While they went to buy oil:
“…the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” — Matthew 25:10
Later they cried:
“Lord, Lord, open to us!” — Matthew 25:11
But he answered:
“Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.” — Matthew 25:12
Jesus concluded:
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” — Matthew 25:13
The difference between the wise and the foolish was not that one group expected the bridegroom and the other did not. All ten expected him. The difference was that only five were genuinely prepared when he arrived.
This reminds us that spiritual readiness cannot be borrowed from someone else or postponed until a more convenient time. Every one of us must cultivate a genuine, personal relationship with Christ. Church attendance, Christian friendships, family background, or past experiences cannot replace a living faith. Jesus calls us to remain spiritually alert, faithfully walking with Him every day so that whenever He returns, we are found ready. The greatest preparation for Christ’s coming is not predicting His return but living each day in loving obedience to Him.
Faithfulness Is Measured by What We Do With What God Has Entrusted to Us
Jesus then tells the Parable of the Talents. A master entrusted different amounts to three servants:
- five talents,
- two talents,
- and one talent.
Each received:
“…to each according to his own ability…” — Matthew 25:15
The first two servants invested what they had received and doubled it. When the master returned, he said to both:
“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your lord.” — Matthew 25:21,23
Notice that although they had been given different amounts, they received the same commendation because both had been faithful. The third servant hid his talent out of fear and returned only what had been entrusted to him. The master rebuked him for his unfaithfulness. Jesus teaches that God does not compare us with others; He calls each of us to be faithful with what He has personally entrusted to us.
This reminds us that God measures faithfulness, not comparison. Some are entrusted with greater opportunities, resources, or responsibilities than others, but every one of us is called to steward God’s gifts faithfully. Whether our influence seems large or small, the Lord delights in those who serve Him wholeheartedly. Rather than focusing on what others have received, we should ask how we can use our own gifts, time, abilities, and opportunities to glorify Christ. The day is coming when every one of us longs to hear those wonderful words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Our Response to Christ Is Revealed by the Way We Treat Others
Jesus concludes the discourse by describing the judgment of the nations. He says:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will sit on the throne of His glory.” — Matthew 25:31
He separates people:
“…as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.” — Matthew 25:32
To those on His right He says:
“Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” — Matthew 25:34
Why? Because they demonstrated compassionate care:
- feeding the hungry,
- giving drink to the thirsty,
- welcoming strangers,
- clothing the naked,
- visiting the sick,
- and caring for those in prison.
When they asked when they had done these things for Him, Jesus replied:
“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” — Matthew 25:40
Their acts of compassion did not earn their salvation. Rather, their compassion revealed hearts that had already been transformed by the King they served.
Here, we are reminded that genuine faith produces visible love. Those who truly belong to Christ increasingly reflect His compassion toward others. Acts of kindness, generosity, mercy, and practical care are not attempts to earn God’s favour but evidence that His grace is at work within us. Every opportunity to serve someone in need becomes an opportunity to honour Christ Himself. As we love others in His name, we demonstrate the transforming power of the Gospel and reflect the heart of our Shepherd-King.
Deeper Waters
Matthew 25 completes the Olivet Discourse, moving from prophetic teaching to practical preparation for Christ’s return. The three sections of the chapter present three complementary pictures of readiness.
The Ten Virgins teach the necessity of personal spiritual preparedness. The oil cannot simply be transferred from one person to another; readiness is individual. The closed door reminds us that the opportunity to respond to Christ will not remain open indefinitely. The emphasis is not on identifying the date of His return but on being prepared whenever He comes.
The Parable of the Talents teaches faithful stewardship during the period of the Master’s apparent absence. The servants are entrusted with different responsibilities according to their abilities, yet each is accountable for faithful service. The identical commendation given to the first two servants reveals that God rewards faithfulness rather than worldly success. The third servant’s problem was not limited ability but a distorted view of his master, which led to fear, inactivity, and wasted opportunity.
The final scene of the Sheep and the Goats portrays the Son of Man exercising His authority as Judge of all nations, fulfilling the vision of Daniel 7:13–14, where the Son of Man receives everlasting dominion. The separation reveals that genuine allegiance to Christ is demonstrated by lives transformed in love. Compassion toward “the least of these” flows from hearts that belong to the King.
Together, these three sections answer an important question: What should believers be doing while they await Christ’s return?
- Living in continual spiritual readiness.
- Serving faithfully with every gift God has entrusted.
- Demonstrating Christ’s love through practical compassion.
These are not three unrelated lessons but three dimensions of authentic discipleship. Matthew 25 encourages us to: maintain a living relationship with Christ, use every God-given gift faithfully, serve without comparing themselves with others, show practical love and mercy, and and live each day in joyful expectation of the Lord’s return.
Ultimately, Matthew 25 points us to Jesus Christ as the Bridegroom, the Master, the Shepherd, and the King. He is the Bridegroom for whom His people eagerly wait, the Master who entrusts His servants with Kingdom work, and the glorious Son of Man who will one day return to judge with perfect righteousness. Those who belong to Him will not only profess faith but will persevere in readiness, faithful stewardship, and Christlike love until they hear His gracious welcome: “Come, you blessed of My Father… Enter into the joy of your Lord.”