The Eleventh Hour

To do certain things we tend to wait for the last moment to come and that last moment is popularly known as the “eleventh hour”. The eleventh hour is the last possible moment that something can be done before any problem arises. The phrase, ‘Eleventh Hour’ became popular in the 19th century, but it was in use much earlier. It alludes specifically to the book of Matthew in the New Testament (20:1-16). This account in Matthew is a parable regarding workers who arrived at the eleventh hour yet still paid a full day’s wage. Biblical scholars suggest that the parable could mean people who come to Christ late in life will still earn the full benefits of eternal life. The other perspective of understanding this parable is that though the Jews were first called into the vineyard, at length the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles, and they should be admitted to equal privileges and advantages with the Jews.

The literal meaning of the above inference seldom applies as it is commonly used to simply mean ‘the last possible time’.  Many of us conveniently use this popular concept, waiting for the last moment. I feel this particular nature of waiting for the last moment has a great relevance to our people, the laid-back nature, always waiting for the last moment to arrive. Irrespective of age group, young or old, we have this tendency of waiting for the last moment to come.

We are forced to asked as why we are so poor when it comes to doing things in time? Our meetings, programmes, appointments, etc. are hardly on time. I think one simple reason is that, we don’t prepare things in advance rather wait for the last moment to get fixed. We tend to ask, “When is the last date?”, and ironically wait for the last date to get things done. Let’s take the example of the students’ in our society. Many would wait for the last moment to prepare or study for their exam. There are several other things that they wait for the last moment, such as doing an assignment, paying fees, filling up forms, etc. I think the very act of waiting for last moment is greatly responsible for failing to do certain things on time. And this very act waiting for the “Eleventh Hour” goes beyond schools and colleges.

But the good news is that sometimes the eleventh hour is viewed positively. It is positively viewed because certain things which we decide at the eleventh hour bring positive result. For instance, decision that comes just in a nick of time saves us from certain danger, and we used to say, had the decision not been taken at the eleventh hour things would have been different. In such case the eleventh hour is important, but I think many of us used the ‘eleventh hour’ for wrong reason and failed to accomplish certain things in time.

Even in our spiritual life, it is quite possible that we are waiting for the last moment to repent, but no one knows when is the last moment. For it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived. The things God has prepared for those who love Him. ”So, I am afraid, if we knowingly wait for the last moment, we will miss what God has prepared.