PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 24:36-44
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“So you also must be ready…” (Matthew 24:44)
Jesus will return at a time when we do not expect him (v.44).
How do we prepare for this, how do we “keep watch” (v.42) and “be ready”?
In my student job the company owner would sometimes show up unannounced.
You never really knew when, but as soon as he came, it was evident in the workers.
There was frenzy among the workers to look busy and to be doing their job.
This is how I see being ready – doing the task the Lord assigned to us.
Not just ‘looking busy’ when he shows up, that will be too late.
Start practicing love, spreading joy and promoting peace.
Give yourself to those in need, care for those who struggle.
Doing life isn’t just “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (24:38)
While we do these things, we are also to be loving, serving, blessing, caring, sharing.
This is the fruit the Spirit is working to produce in us; are we working for this too?
I know that Jesus will come back, I just don’t know when.
But I do know what he wants me to be doing… will I be doing it?
PRAYER
Lord, you have given us an important job to do. I don’t want to just look busy, I want to be busy with the work that matters to you, to be ready for when you return!
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” I know I’m only a missing heart beat away from my earthly departure. Will I get an exit date? Should it make a difference – should I not be serving and busy in God’s kingdom work – not my own – up until the time Jesus takes me home or He returns first. Like the Master finding 2 of his 3 servants busy and engaged – being fruitful in the kingdom – so must I until the Master returns or calls me home. Sometimes I’ve felt – Jesus this would be a good time – but I need to wait. Help me to persevere and be busy in your kingdom.
The Lord will return as He has promised and all of His promises are true. This is His world and I am part of it. Each day anew, I start with the Lord. I am His and He is mine. This is His day as is every day and I need to walk in His presence sharing the Light He has given me. Others need to see Christ living in me by my words and deeds. And when He returns, if it be during my lifetime, I need to busy in words and deeds serving Him. This day also belongs to Him.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.