He returns with judgment (The faithful vs. wicked servant Matthew 24:45-51, Mark 13:34-37)

Have you ever seen the “momma bear” come out of someone who is normally sweet, kind, and caring towards everyone around them? In the animal kingdom mother bears are notorious for aggressively protecting their cubs from anyone that they deem as a threat, and you never come between them and their cub or it is on. The kindest and gentlest human mommy can turn ruthless in a heartbeat if you mess with their babies, they can go from “How you are doing honey” to “What did you say about my baby” in no time flat. The two personas do not seem like they can come from the same person because they are so contrasting but they do and can manifest minutes apart from each other. As we wrap up our study of the faithful and wicked servant, I think it is very important that we all realize that when the master returns judgment is coming with him. Jesus lets everyone know that when the master of the house comes back from his journey he will judge whether the servant was faithful to tasks he was responsible for or if he was unfaithful and negligent. The master will judge according to the works of the servant while he is away and either reward or punish their actions.
I talked in the beginning about the different personas that can exist within an individual, but did you know that the same is true of God. Jesus is referred to in scripture as the sacrificial lamb and as a roaring lion. Jesus came to this earth to be the lamb that paid the price for the sins of this world, but scripture says that he will return as a lion that brings judgment upon the earth. Just as the master in the parable returned to judge his servant, Jesus is returning to cast judgment upon all His creation. The righteous will be judged for their faithfulness at the bema judgment set of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10) while the unrighteous will be judged at the great white judgment (Revelations 20:12). The disciples of Christ will be rewarded according to their faithfulness to their calling after accepting Jesus as their savior, while those who do not know Christ will stand at a judgment of punishment for their rebellion and sins. The very one who laid down His own life so the world will be saved will return as a roaring lion that judges the nations. This is why we must be ready for His return; this is why we must be continually watching for His return, and this why we diligently work for His Kingdom while He is away.