Thursday, December 22: Matthew 24- Be ready.

Jesus gives an extended teaching about the end of times when He will return and usher in God’s forever kingdom. Everyone wants to know when this will be. For millennia people have been predicting the day Jesus will return. No one has been correct yet. And we shouldn’t be surprised about this. Jesus himself said, No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (36).

In lieu of knowing the date he will return, what should we do???

We should live ready for his return. In verses 42-46 Jesus makes this plain. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Notice the key verbs: keep watch… you also must be ready. With these Jesus is telling us how to live as we await his return. We should be active in doing what God has assigned us to do!

It seems to me that this has both a general and particular charge to us as Christ-followers. There are certain things all believers should be doing… loving God and loving neighbor is a good summary. This is the general charge.  It is for all believers.

Then there are the particular things God has for me (and you) to do. This is where my gifts, abilities and callings come into play. Are you a servant?  Then serve. Are you a teacher?  Then teach. Are you gifted with generosity?  Then give.

Before you close up the scriptures for today, spend a few minutes asking yourself how you are doing with the general and particular callings God has for you. In other words, “Are you living ready?”

Come, Lord Jesus, come. And until You do, empower me to live for You! Amen.

 

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