Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, March 31, 2019
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: Jesus condemned complacency and praised action.
Israel had become complacent, not only in the vitality of their relationship with God, but also in their care of one another. Jesus came to shake off the complacency and stir people into action. There’s a great deal of work to be done in the kingdom. It is not enough simply to go through the motions. God’s work is vibrant and quick, and requires action and heart.
Jesus’ parable of the bridesmaids compared the complacency of Israel to bridesmaids who were unprepared for the coming of the bridegroom. They were not fully committed. Being in it half-way was not enough. When the time came to reconcile all that was being done, some in Israel were ready to change, and some were not. Jesus’ parable encouraged all people to shake off the dust and get busy.
The parable of the talents has a similar tone. Like the master who entrusted his talents to his slaves, God has entrusted the work of the kingdom with God’s people. Some of the slaves were active with what had been entrusted to them. One was not. He failed to make use of what the master had given him and was punished for it. Jesus made it clear that action, not complacency, was expected.
In what ways are you and your community complacent? In what ways are you active? No one can be all things to all people. But everyone can decide where their passion lies, and then shake off the dust and get busy.
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