Olivet Discourse – Part 2

(One Perfect Life Chapters 162-165) The Olivet Discourse is one of the most detailed and complex descriptions of Jesus’ return. While its precise meaning is debated the general themes are clear. Jesus uses two parables and a description of the judgment of the nations to affirm important themes given in the discourse.

In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, Jesus reminds His disciples of the importance of diligence in anticipating His return. An understanding of the Jewish wedding traditions is necessary to understand the parable. A man would propose marriage to a woman and if she accepted they were considered to be married. They did not consummate the relationship or begin living together until the man returned to his family compound and prepared a place for them to live. Jesus told His disciples. “In My Father’s house are many rooms; …I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be” (John 14:2-3).

While the groom built the addition, it was the father that determined it was ready for the bride. That is why Jesus tells His disciples that no man knows the day and the hour of His return, not even Jesus – only His Father (Matthew 24:36). This often happened late in the night. So the wedding party would go in the middle of the night to retrieve the bride and complete the wedding ceremony. This is the background of the parable.

The foolish virgins were not diligent to have the oil that they needed to light their path. They are judged and excluded from the wedding celebration because of their lack of proper anticipation and preparation. We are called to anticipate and prepare for the coming of Jesus. We are called to share the Gospel so all nations will be reached – a requirement for His return.

The parable of the talents is a restatement of an earlier parable. It emphasizes our responsibility to use the resources entrusted to us to promote the Kingdom. Rewards are given for faithful service and punishment is given for failure to embrace our “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

Jesus closes the discourse with a description of the judging of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46). While salvation is an individual experience, judgment is both individual and by nation. Jesus will judge the nations by how they applied the principles He taught. Note that the acts of kindness – providing food, water, clothing, hospitality, visiting the sick and the prisoner – are described as being done directly to Jesus when we do them for others.

After the discourse we are told of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Judas fulfills prophecies in Zechariah 11 and Jeremiah 32 by his actions. Jesus said, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24).