Day or Hour
Scripture: Matthew 24:36-43 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. (Matthew 24:36–43 NLT)
The past few days we’ve been reading “red letters”, the words of Jesus to his disciples. This conversation started off with his disciples excitedly pointing out the beautiful, magnificent buildings of the Temple complex and then asking him about the “end times” and about what signs there would be that the end is near, and about when it would happen. Jesus warned them not to be deceived by false prophets and prophecies, by natural, supernatural, military, and political events and conflicts. He told them there would be persecution and turmoil. And he told them about a bunch of things that were not “signs of his imminent return!”
And now he tells them, “No one knows the day nor the hour!” You can recognize some signs of the times, but not the time itself! Thanks, Jesus! But we were looking for something a little more specific!
Jesus then warns them and us against complacency: “Friends, life gets so ordinary! When Noah’s flood came, everyone was just doing what they did, getting on with life, trying to spice things up with parties and entertainment so they wouldn’t get bored! And, Bam! It happened! It’s going to be a lot like that when I return! Two men will be at work, one will be ready and the other not ready. Two women will be at the market, one will be ready and the other not ready. Life will just be ordinary. So you, be ready!” Friends, let’s get ready and stay ready. Keep your heart right with God and your relationships right with others. Be ready!
Prayer:
Father, We need help with this! We’re curious, we get anxious, we’re surrounded by people who claim to have all the answers, we want to feel like we’re in control of things. Help us to simply get ready and stay ready. In Jesus’ Name!