Keep Watch
“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 . (Matthew 24.42-44)
One morning just a few weeks ago, Lana and I arose with great anticipation. Our kids were coming to Johns Island! We made our final preparations and began watching! One day, Jesus will come, so we must make our final preparations and keep watch.
We keep watch because we...
· Know he's coming . Jesus made it plain that though he was leaving, he would indeed return. For two millennia, the Church has held on to that confidence. History itself (both political and natural) indicates that time is moving to a conclusion of some sort.
· Do not know when. Though we know he's coming, Jesus told us that the day of his return is a mystery. Many have vainly attempted to pin down the date. And, just as many have been mistaken. Why do we spend so much effort to try to figure it out? Jesus freely confessed that he himself didn't know when.
· Need to understand how to be ready. We must not be taken by surprise, letting our house be broken into. What is the condition of my soul? Am I up to date with Jesus? To be ready, Jesus said, among other things, I must be dressed in his righteousness... serving in his kingdom... pure in heart... showing compassion to the needy...
· Must not be surprised. It is certain that he will come when we do not expect him. But that does not mean we will be surprised. No! We will be overjoyed!
Jesus is coming. Are you keeping watch?
O Lord, though I do not know when, I know that you are coming. Help me to be ready, to keep watch so that I am not surprised but overjoyed! Amen.
1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.