Read: Matthew 23-25
(Some of this reflection comes from teachings at my church as we studied through the book of Matthew.)
What we believe about the future changes how we live in the present. Well, at least it should. God offers us grace, not wrath, but we must be prepared for Jesus’ return. We must stay ready. We must not quit or give in when things feel hard or discouraging.
In Matthew 24, Jesus prepares His disciples for what is coming. He doesn’t prepare them to panic, He prepares them to endure. He says plainly:
“See to it that you are not alarmed.” -Matthew 24:6
That word alarmed here means unsettled, shaken, thrown into panic. And isn’t that exactly what our world feels like today? News headlines, social media feeds, rumors, division, conspiracies, fear.
Jesus continues:
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” -Matthew 24:6
Jesus gives this promise:
“… the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” -Matthew 24:13
There are so many reasons people quit. How is that New Year’s Resolution going? Ever tried a diet? People quit diets because they’re happy with the short-term results or feel defeat because of a lack thereof. In business, people quit when they run out of time, run out of money, lose enthusiasm, get scared, or focus on short-term difficulty instead of long-term reward. Spiritually, the same things happen. It’s easy to start strong and then get worn out.
Scripture reminds us:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9
Endure faithfully:
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” -Revelation 2:10
What we believe about the future shapes whether we endure in the present. If we really believe Jesus is coming back, if we believe that eternity is real, then today matters. My obedience today matters. My repentance today matters. The way I speak to my children matters. The way I handle frustration matters. The way I love others matters. It all matters.
Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 24 about servants waiting for their master to return. The faithful servant is the one found doing what he was assigned when the master comes back (Matthew 24:45–46). Not panicking. Not asleep. Not distracted. Faithful.
And in Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgins reminds us to stay ready (Matthew 25:1–13). Five were prepared and five were not. The difference was not knowledge, it was readiness.
Preparation is not about fear; it is about confidence in our relationship with the Lord.
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” -1 Thessalonians 5:9
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:8
This is not and cannot be about earning salvation. It’s about living in it and staying awake spiritually. Jesus says (in the chapter beyond what we read today):
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray. Stay alert. Stay connected; relationships matter
Personally, I’ve been asking myself: Who do I want to be when Jesus returns? Not what do I want to accomplish. Who will I be? Keeping in mind to whom I belong.
- I want to be someone who finished reading the whole Bible. Hence the year in the Bible for 2026.
- I want to be a gentler mother. Hence the Christian parenting books, trials and errors, and prayer.
- I want to respond with prayer first.
- I want to speak about God openly, not timidly. I do not know why I am afraid, but I am at times.
- I want to be found faithful! But not because of what I have done, but for what He has done for and through me.
“… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ …” -Matthew 25:23
The greater the consequence, the greater the attention required. Eternity is the greatest consequence, or hopefully reward, of all.
Do not live alarmed, live alert. Do not let the fears of this world consume you. Our God is greater, stronger, wiser. He is coming back and He has already overcome!
Discussion Question
- Jesus says in Matthew 24:6, “See to it that you are not alarmed.” What does it practically look like to live alert but not alarmed in today’s world? Where do you personally feel the tension between those two?
- Who do you want to be when Jesus returns?
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A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me, what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture, and what the Holy Spirit is sharing through me. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from Pinterest
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