Matthew 25  Jesus gives three parables about the Kingdom... about what happens when He does return.

v1-13  The parable of the 10 virgins. 5 were prepared with extra oil. 5 were not ready, for their lamps were going out and they had not brought along enough oil to keep them burning.  I have to admit that on the surface this story makes me uncomfortable... all ten women waited for the bridegroom. They just needed a little more oil... yet their punishment was so severe!  They were kept out of the house,, out of the Kingdom and the Lord told them that He did not know them.  But, I know that the point of the story is summed up in verse 13, "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour."  

We are to be prudent and not foolish.  To be prudent is to be thoughtful, practical, wise, and careful .  To be foolish is to be dull, stupid, or heedless.  Psalm 85:8 says, " ... but let them not turn back to folly."  There is a contrast found here - God speaks "peace to His people, to His godly ones"... but the ones who turn away from Him will not receive the peace that only He can give.  The five wise or prudent women had taken heed and were well prepared for the delay, and ready when the bridegroom arrived. Matthew 24:44 "For this reason, you be ready too;  for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will."  To be ready, Jesus tells us, is to be a faithful servant, doing His will/ work until He comes. 

v14-30 The parable of the talents. 3 servants were given particular responsibilities.  One received 10 talents, one received 5, and one received 1 talent.  The first two did well.  They doubled the master's money.  They were faithful and were rewarded for their work.  The third man hid his talent and did nothing with it.  He was able to return it to the master, but was considered "wicked" and "lazy".   He claimed to know that the master was a "hard man, reaping where [he] did not sow, and gathering where [he] scattered no seed." ( v24)  However, knowing that and acting on that are two different things.   He did not act in faith and was cast out of the kingdom.

Whereas the first parable exhorts us to be wise, alert, and prepared; this one exhorts us to be faithful stewards of all that the master has entrusted us with until His return.  

v31-46  The parable of the sheep and goats.  Jesus reveals what He will do when He comes in His glory.  In contrast to the Jewish idea that the Messiah would overthrow Rome and set up the nation of Israel like in the days of David and Solomon;  the coming of the Lord will be much, much more!
As King, Jesus will bring all the nations, including Israel, before His judgement seat.  He will separate the "sheep from the goats" like a shepherd.  On His right hand are those who served Him well - caring for those in need for  "... to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."   On the left will be those who failed to care for anyone - they failed to feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, invite in a stranger, or clothe the naked.  They did not "do it to one of the least of these",  Jesus says.  Their punishment will be eternal.

To be alert and prudent, to be faithful, and to be merciful and compassionate towards others.. this is what Jesus teaches us during the last days of His life before He is crucified.  When He comes again, we need to be ready and found doing His will.  

Father in heaven, we turn our eyes to You and await the coming of our Lord.  Yet, even as we do this, we pray that we will be found faithful.  Help us to be wise and alert.  By Your Spirit, help us to be faithful and do Your will, ready for that glorious day. Once again we present our bodies, living sacrifices, holy and acceptable in worship to You, our Glorious Lord.  Amen.