Be Prepared
Friday, October 2, 2026 | Kelley Bachtel
Matthew 24-25
Recently, I approached my family with an idea we have mentioned several times in the past. The phrase we use is “ten minutes from company". If someone were to swing by at a moment’s notice, we could have a tidy place in ten minutes or less. Anyone with children understands how things can tend to be strewn throughout the house. For us, even my dog contributes by stealing socks and shoes and placing them in the center of the living room. It is our way of staying on top of things and being prepared to welcome our guests.
Upon reading Matthew 24–25, the overarching theme I noticed is a call to be prepared. But this is more than just company. It is the return of King Jesus!
As Jesus speaks about the end of the age, we find two types of people: the foolish and the wise.
The foolish will be led astray by false prophets and become alarmed by wars, famines, and earthquakes. They will fall away, betray, and hate one another. Lawlessness will increase as they remain unaware and unexpectant of Christ’s return, like those caught in the flood during Noah’s day. They will be unprepared, like the five foolish virgins, and form misconceptions about the Master without truly knowing His heart. The servant entrusted with one talent hid it out of fear, failing to recognize the generosity of his master.
The wise will not be alarmed by what is happening in the world or led astray by false prophets. They remain vigilant, expectant, and prepared for the return of the Son of Man, like the five virgins who kept oil ready while waiting for the bridegroom. The wise servant is faithful and trustworthy, meeting the needs of those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, or in need. In the end, they are welcomed into an eternal inheritance prepared from the foundation of the world.
When Jesus returns, there will not be a ten-minute grace period to prepare for His company. We are living in that time of grace right now. Peter writes, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise…” (2 Peter 3:9).
Moment by moment, we are called to stay prepared for the coming of our King!