May 16, 2026
Saturday, May 16
As we’ve seen this week, we’ve all got some work to do before Jesus comes back. It’s easy for us to agree with that statement, then go on living like we have previously. But when I read the four parables Jesus told on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24-25), there is one more takeaway I can’t avoid:
We must live with urgency. I worked for a landscaping company during part of my seminary years. We always knocked off at 5:00. One Friday, I had promised Carrie that I was going to take her out for dinner and a movie. Not fast food, or “let’s share an entrée,” and not a dollar movie that was so old, it was already out on VHS. No, we were going to go to an actual restaurant and a first-run movie theater. All day as I worked, I thought about how good it was going to be that night. Then, at almost five o clock, the boss said, “Guys, we’ve been working on this one yard all week. I don’t want to come back next week. Let’s not quit until we’re finished.” That threw all my plans into jeopardy. At that point, I realized something: I only thought I had been working hard before. Now I threw myself into the work. I dug holes, pulled up weeds, raked up grass, picked up trash like nobody’s business, all the while urging on my co-workers, because I couldn’t finish the whole job on my own. We made it to dinner and a movie on time, but just barely, and only because I gave it everything I had.
That’s the power of urgency. How often do you see that in your walk with Christ? If you knew beyond a doubt that Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do today? What conversations would you have? How would you pray? Since the main point of all four parables is that Jesus is coming back at a time we don’t expect Him, why don’t we live with more urgency than we do? If you don’t know that you’re His, now is the time to get that right. If you haven’t figured out yet what your job is in God’s Kingdom, today is the day to start seeking that. And if you aren’t living a life of compassion, ask God to change your heart and show you where to start.
I just have one more question: After hearing what Jesus said about His return, can you honestly say there is nothing you need to do?
We should be excited about His return. Here’s a song to help you feel that excitement: Even So Come.
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
