PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 24:36-44
What do you sense Jesus saying to you in this passage?
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day…” (Matthew 24:42)
I used to hear these words as a threat to control my behaviour.
‘Would you want to be found doing THAT if Jesus came back?’
Because my morality was based on fear, that warning worked.
But since I met the non-condemning Jesus, it’s no longer a threat.
I am keeping watch for the bridegroom, not for a thief.
Morality should be based on love, not fear.
In this dark world, I want to love because love is good.
I keep watch for opportunities to show love, to love like Jesus.
I keep my eyes open for signs of love, love making all things new.
The coming of Jesus will be a surprise, we do not know when.
But we do know what that day will be: love will be fully revealed!
Those who hate love will not like that day, nor that Jesus.
Just like at His first coming, some will reject His gracious love.
But I want to be among those who welcome His love – now and then!
Lord Jesus, even though love right now seems in short supply in our world, I keep watching and working for it. I look forward to the day when Your gracious love is fully revealed!
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
And that’s what scares me, it’s that we DON’T know when He’s coming back. I know that is the case and it’ll be a surprise for sure, so I pray therefore that Jesus by His Holy Spirit helps me to stay focused on Him, but, it sure is hard to do while living in this busy-full-of-distractions-world.
I am of 2 minds — selfishly, I am hoping that it’s not going to happen in my lifetime, mostly because there are special-to-me people that I want to come with me and I feel that I’m not “done” with them yet. But at the same time, I want Him to return like, “YESTERDAY!”
Regardless, I don’t want to be caught unaware. I know in my heart that staying focused on Christ is the most important thing I must do, but that almost kinda stresses me out … as I keep on doing worldly things, like eating, working, gardening, and what-have-you. So my prayer is often “Jesus, come back real soon, but NOT till EVERYONE has come around to knowing you & help me do my part because I’m not sure if, well pretty sure that I’m NOT doing enough.
Not going to lie. The first time I read through this passage I groaned. All my life I heard so much about God’s wrath and final judgment, it took much therapy and a Christian support group to understand God’s grace and love for me.
When I got over my initial reaction and read it again, I was able to look at it differently. I wondered what if the passage is calling readers to stay woke? Remain humble, don’t turn a blind eye to injustice. Instead of waiting for a future kingdom…live that type of kingdom in the here and now. Stand in unity against oppression, colonialism, racism, hatred of any kind and protect the vulnerable Including Billionaires who misuse Gods name to line their pockets and obtain more power. By doing this I am staying alert and active in following in the steps of Jesus and not missing Him when he calls. Or returns
Great comment. Often it was those in religious power who used (abused) passages about God’s wrath to keep others humbled, subject to their self-serving agendas. If being like Jesus towards those who suffer or oppressed is what it means to be woke, then I want to be woke too!