Matthew 26:6-13 The Original Jesus Freak

"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”" [Matthew 26:6-13 NASB]

We know from John 12 that this woman was Mary, the sister of Lazarus. The perfume was in an alabaster vial, and was very expensive - worth more than a years wages. Jewish women of the day would sometimes wear these flasks as ornaments around their necks, and would pass them down from mother to daughter. The only way to use the perfume was to break the neck of the flask and pour it out.

Mary's act showed that, of all the disciples, she was the one who really listened. Jesus has been saying that He would be arrested, beaten, and killed. The other disciples tried to argue Him out of it, or else ignored it, preferring instead to ask about His kingdom and glory. But Mary understood what He was saying, and chose to perform this act of love and kindness before He had to endure the suffering.

The disciples were indignant at this display of devotion. They tried to justify their indignation with religious self-righteousness. "For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." John informs us the the spokesman for the disciples was Judas Iscariot, who said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. " [John 12:5-6 NASB]

Mary's act was radical and over the top, and Jesus loved it, and honored her for it.

Back in the 1960's and 70's, there was a strong revival among young people called the Jesus Movement. A lot of people in the hippie culture became saved, and being free spirited, they displayed their enthusiasm for Jesus with great freedom and fervor. This freedom of worship moved beyond the hippie culture and became embraced by young people all over the country. The term "Jesus freak" was applied to these young people. They in turn, embraced the term and proudly stated, "I am a Jesus freak."

As so often happens, the Jesus Movement developed into several different denominations, each with their own religious rituals and traditions. The fervor of the movement was effectively subdued, and replaced with religion.

When I was first saved back in the 1970's, I was over-the-top enthusiastic. Being unchurched, I didn't know anything about religion or tradition or ritual. I only knew that Jesus saved me, and I loved Him. Being young and eager to learn, I listened to the older Christians who explained to me that I needed to "tone it down". Stop being so boisterous. Blend in. Sadly, I blended.

40+ years later, it is now my desire to unlearn what my elders once told me. I want to regain that fervor that I had as new Christian. I want the fervor, but with the deeper understanding and relationship with God that I have gained over the years.

Mary's relationship with Jesus was as close as any disciple. Her demonstration of devotion and love surpassed them.

I want a heart like Mary's. One that gives to the Lord without question, without considering the cost, regardless of the reaction of others. I want to be a Jesus Freak.

Matthew 26:1-5 The Plot

When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise a riot might occur among the people.” [Matthew 26:1-5 NASB]

This was the heart of the religious leaders that they would meet in secret and plot to commit murder. At the time, they justified their actions in the name of religion - although it is notable that Caiaphas committed suicide two years later. Although his motivations will never be known, perhaps he came to understand who it was that he killed.

I also find it interesting that they chose to kill Jesus "Not during the festival..." This wasn't because the Passover was a holy day, and they feared dishonoring God. Not because they would be home with their families celebrating the Passover. But because they feared the people.

If they feared God, they wouldn't have been plotting against Jesus in the first place. Fear of the people didn't motivate them to act righteously. It only drove them to be more crafty in their approach. They came to Jesus in the dark of night, tried and convicted Him. The crowds were blind-sided. The deed was done before they had time to react.

The fear of men will never lead to righteousness. It leads instead to secrecy and manipulation. Even if fear of being caught causes you not to act on a sinful impulse, it will not change your heart. And in the end, you will probably find a way to do what you want.

How many young men have given the appearance of avoiding pornographic web sites out of fear of what a wife, girlfriend or parents might thinks? But when no one is looking, they take their opportunity. They protect themselves by password protecting their phones and computers, and/or deleting their browsing history. They behave themselves in public, but their heart is unchanged.

That change of heart comes from totally submitting to God. You must recognize that you have no power in yourself to overcome your flesh. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. If you want to see a change in your heart, then you need to draw near to God.

I don't mean this in a abstract sense. I mean spend time talking to God. Spend time listening. Christianity was never meant to be a religion. It is a relationship between us and Jesus. And you can't have a relationship without spending time together.

Bring your petitions to God in prayer, but don't let that be the extent of your prayer life. Perhaps you, like I, have a relative who only calls when he needs something. Do you ever wish he would call just to check in and see how you are doing? You may be related, but it's impossible to have a close relationship with a person like that.

And don't just recite the Lord's prayer back to Him. That's just a primer. It's the beginning of learning to pray when you have never prayed before. It's like reading "See Spot. See Spot run. Run Spot, Run," and thinking yourself to be well-read.

The best relationships involve spending a lot of time together. Talking one to another and listening one to another. And there are the quiet times. Those comfortable silences where it's enough to simply enjoy being in one other's company.

It's not enough to simply do your daily devotions in the morning, and not think about it for the rest of the day. The Holy Spirit should be your constant companion through the day, as you remain consciously aware of His presence.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16 NASB]

Walk in the Spirit and allow God to transform your hear and mind into His image. 

Matthew 25:31-46 Judgment of the Nations

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, ... “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, ...’ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [Matthew 25:31-46 NASB]

Jesus is concluding His teaching on the end times. To put this into context, He has told us about the great tribulation, and the gathering of the saints to Himself. Through a variety of parables, He has warned us to be prepared. It is not enough to abstain from evil, but we must avoid indifference, and we must actively do good.

Within this context, the Son of Man will come in His glory and sit on His throne. At the end of Daniel's 70th week - after the tribulation and the wrath of God, Satan will be bound for a thousand years, and Jesus will reign on earth. He will begin His reign with the judgement of nations.

This is one of three judgments spoken of in the Bible in relation to the last days.

The Judgment seat of Christ is where the saints receive their rewards for service.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." [2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB]

This does not determine whether we will enter heaven or hell since our salvation is by grace, and our sins have already been forgotten. Rather, it will judge what we have done for Jesus in His service.

"Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." [1 Corinthians 3:13-15 NASB]

If your work for Him is pure of motives and free of selfish ambition, you will receive a reward for your service. If you motivation is self-serving, you will not lose your salvation, but you will lose your rewards.

The Great White Throne Judgment takes place after the millennium and after the last great rebellion against God, immediately before He creates the new heaven and new earth. At this judgment, everyone who has ever lived will be judged. In this judgment their eternal fate will be sealed, whether for heaven or hell.

"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." [Revelation 20:11-15 NASB]

The judgment of nations that Jesus describes in today's passage is not the White Throne Judgment. First, the timing is all wrong. This judgment takes place immediately after the tribulation and before the Millennium. Second this is not a resurrection of all the souls who have ever lived, but is a judgment of the nations on earth. Those judged will be those who have survived the tribulation and the wrath of God. This does not include the believers, as they will have already been caught up to meet Jesus, and have been glorified.

During the last seven years, the earth's population will be decimated. The current global population of about 8 billion will be whittled down to about 3 billion. These survivors will then be judged based on their treatment of God's people (Jews and Christians). Those who persecuted or ignored the plight of persecuted Christians will go straight to hell. 

During World War II, there were always people who were willing to help the persecuted Jews. In the same way, during the Great Tribulation, there will be people who will help the persecuted. They will enter the millennial kingdom of Christ.

Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents

"For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 25:14-30 NASB]

It was common for a wealthy landowner who was going on a journey to leave his valuables with trusted servants. In this case, he left them differing amounts of money based on their abilities. The amount he left them was not insignificant, as a talent was worth about 15 to 20 years wages for a laborer. So being given even one talent demonstrated a great deal of trust.

The first two servants doubled their money. But the master didn't praise their business acumen, or their investment strategies, or their brilliance. He praised their faithfulness.

The third servant hid the money, so that it wouldn't be lost or stolen. On the surface, it doesn't appear that he did anything wrong. He didn't misspend the money, or steal any of it, or squander it in any way. He preserved what was given to him so that he could return it intact. But he was condemned for his laziness.

The "talents" in this parable refer to money. not abilities, but the principle applies to both. In fact the English word "talent" (meaning "ability") is taken from this parable.

In applying this parable to our lives, it is apparent that each of us has different abilities. Just as in the parable, the one with two talents didn't have the ability to manage five, and would have been overwhelmed. The one with five talents would have been under utilized if he had only received two. To be envious of another's talents is foolhardy. 

For example, I enjoy singing. I am able to sing on key, and have been told that I have a pleasant singing voice. I use my voice to worship God, but I am not a worship leader. Why? Because I know that the ability to sing does not qualify a person to lead worship. It takes a specific gift and calling from God. I have been in a number of churches where the best singer is made the worship leader, even though they do not have that gift. How can I tell? Because of the general absence of a worshipful atmosphere, and because the singer draws attention to him/her self rather that to God. I think of it as a concert, not a worship service.

It happens that the young woman who leads worship at the church where I attend is phenomenally gifted to lead worship. She leads worship by worshiping. If the goal in a corporate worship service is to lead people into the presence of God, then she leads well. I admire her gift, but I don't envy it, because it is not my calling.

Find your calling and do it well. The person who faithfully greets people at the door will receive the same praise as the one who stands behind the pulpit.

Just don't be like the lazy servant who did nothing. You might think, "I've been saved, now all I have to do is avoid temptation and I'll be okay." But if God has called you to a service, and you don't do it, you are being unfaithful. As James said, "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." [James 4:17 NASB]

Being prepared for the Lord's return involves more than just waiting. We are to be about His business. If you don't know what He has called you to do, then pray. And keep praying until you understand His calling. Then keep on praying as you faithfully carry out His calling.

Matthew 25:1-18 Parable of Ten Virgins

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour." [Matthew 25:1-13 NASB]

Jesus gives us another parable to drive home His point that we must be ready.

According to the custom of the day, there were three stages for a wedding. The first was engagement - a formal agreement made by the fathers. Second was betrothal - the bride and groom make promises to one another. The third was marriage - about one year later, the groom would come at an unexpected time for his bride.

A wedding party of bridesmaids would meet the groom with lamps (actually more like torches with oil soaked rags on the end of a stick). The bridesmaids would then lead the groom in a torchlight procession to meet his bride.

This parable is making the point that we will not know the day or time of Jesus' return and must be ready. Clearly, the virgins represent the church waiting for Him. There are a few points that deserve consideration.

All ten of the virgins started out with oil for their lamps. Oil is used throughout the Bible to represent the Holy Spirit, and/or the calling of God. I think it would be fair to say that all ten virgins represent believers. Notice Jesus did not say that some were evil. Rather, He said that some were wise and some were unwise. This is different from the wicked servant in the previous parable, who beat his fellow servants and caroused. These unwise virgins were just negligent.

The unwise virgins represent those Christians who neglect their faith. They make the decision to follow Jesus. They have a brief period where the Christian life is fresh and exciting. Everything seems new and shiny. As time goes by, it becomes more common and less exciting. Prayer becomes a chore, and Bible study a burden. He gradually stops praying, and reading the Bible. He may or may not continue going to church. 

He lives his life as a good person, secure in the thought that he has made a decision for Christ. But his faith has grown cold, and he does not have an ongoing relationship with Jesus.

When it is time to meed Jesus face to face, whether it be through His return or through death, the wise Christian will have his soul prepared by maintaining a close relationship with Jesus through prayer. The unwise Christian will face his worst nightmare: Jesus' words, "I do not know you."

Therefore be ready. Not just looking for signs of His return, but seeking Him daily. Don't be neglectful. Pray daily. Read and study the Bible. Assemble with other believers.

If prayer and Bible study seem burdensome to you, perhaps it is because you are approaching it as a religious duty. True prayer has nothing to do with religion. It is talking with God. It is spending time every day with your best friend. When you talk to Him, take the time to listen for Him to answer. He doesn't typically answer with visions or an audible booming voice. What you can expect is a thought in your own mind that sounds very much like your own inner voice, but is infinitely wiser, and comes with no effort of your own.

Practice His presence. Prayer isn't always about words. When you don't know what to say, it is enough to simply be aware of His presence. It's like sitting on a porch with your best friend. There is a comfortable silence where neither of you feels like you need to speak. It's enough to just hang out. Jesus wants to hang out with you, if you will let Him.

Matthew 24:42-51 Be Vigilant

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." [Matthew 24:42-51 NASB]

I want to remind you that Jesus is not addressing the crowds, but His disciples.

He has made it clear that we are to recognize the signs of His coming, but even so, no one will know the day or hour. We must remain vigilant in looking for His coming, but we must also remain faithful to His calling.

There is a school of theology that is summarized with the phrase, "Once saved, always saved." In reading these words of Jesus, it seems apparent that He disagrees.

Who is it that Jesus says is put in charge of the household? His servant. Not another's servant, and not a hireling, but His own.

The faithful servant is praised and given greater responsibility.

The other servant grows weary in well-doing, and begins to doubt the Lord's return. He gives place to sin, and walks away from what his master has called him to do. He will be punished, and "in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Some like to quote from Romans and say that their salvation is secure, no matter what.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 8:38-39 NASB]

It is true that there is no outside force that can remove you from the grace of God. However:

"For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame." [Hebrews 6:4-6 NASB]

You still have the choice to walk away from the love of God. Through a willful continuing in sin, through a love of pleasure over the love of God, or through neglect, and letting the heart grow cold, it is possible to fall away. For a Christian to live a sinful lifestyle is to put Jesus to open shame.

Remain sober and vigilant. Don't neglect the Holy Spirit within you, but commune with Him daily (and all throughout the day). 

You know when you are sinning, because the guilt you feel is the Holy Spirit convicting you of your sin. The only viable solution for your soul is to stop sinning. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Call on the name of Jesus, and He will deliver you from your sin. Be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit within you. As Paul says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." [Galatians 5:16 NASB]

Whether you meet Jesus in the clouds at the time of the rapture, or if you die first, you should be ready to meet Him today and every day.

Matthew 24:32-41 Wait for His Coming

"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left." [Matthew 24:32-41 NASB]

For many generations, people have looked at the state of the world, and have said that signs of the end times are here. They have seen false Messiahs, persecution of Christians, wars, famines and earthquakes, and have decided that Jesus will return soon. For many generations, they have been right.

There are many who have read this passage, and are unable to reconcile the fact that Jesus has not yet returned. They ask, "what's taking Him so long?"

They devise explanations such as, "The Lord has already returned, but secretly." But Jesus said, "“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." [Matthew 24:27 NASB] His coming will be quick, and it will be visible for all the world to see.

I have heard some say that we are already in the Millennium. I say, have you looked around you? When Jesus rules from Jerusalem, Satan will be locked away, and the world will be at peace for a thousand years. The world has never been at peace.

Peter said, "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." [2 Peter 3:8-10 NASB]

Look for the signs. Be aware. Remain hopeful. Don't become discouraged.

There will be wars, famines and earthquakes, but these are not the Great Tribulation. Christians will be persecuted and put to death, and will endure tribulation. But this is not the Great Tribulation. 

How will you know that this is the end, that the Great Tribulation is here, and the Lord's return is about to happen? When you see all these things happen. The Antichrist will set himself on the holy place on the temple mount in Jerusalem, proclaiming himself to be god. Then there will be a Great Tribulation such as has never been seen, and soon after, Jesus will come to gather His elect before the wrath of God is poured out on the earth. This generation, that is, the generation that sees these things, will not pass away until all these things happen.

Some will say, "All I have to do is wait until I see the Antichrist, then I can get serious about God." Please don't be so foolish. When he comes, he will deceive many, including many Christian fence-sitters who haven't fully committed themselves to God. And if you aren't committed to God before the persecution starts, do you really think you will have the faith to willingly be killed rather than renounce Jesus? The weak in faith will succumb to self-preservation.

The time to commit to God is now. If you have been a half-hearted Christian, it is time to seek Him with all your heart. If you've been living with one foot in the world and one heaven, then it's time to take your foot out of the world, and seek first the kingdom of heaven.

The Lord may or may not come in my lifetime or yours. But that doesn't mean you won't be persecuted. And even if you live a blesssed life and die at  an old age, will you die knowing that you have been faithful, or will you fear the face of the Lord?

As for me, I am hoping to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."