Matthew 24 - 7.24.26

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 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. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Observation: 

Jesus is coming back!

He told his disciples that He will give up His life, rise again, and send a comforter.  They did not comprehend this at the time.  Now, He is informing them of perilous times that will occur in the future before He comes again.  He describes a normal day, but then one will be taken and another left.  I wonder their thoughts as He told them this. They had not grasped that Jesus was leaving and now He is talking about coming again?  He then tells them to keep watch and be ready for His return.

Application:  

What does it mean to “be ready?”  We need to look to what Jesus preached over and over again, The Gospel.  His first coming fulfilled prophesy.  He was born of a virgin, grew and dwelled as a human.  He trained the disciples to seek the lost, do miracles, serve each other, then died for our sins, and rose again on the third day.

We need follow His example and share Him with others.  Keeping Jesus as the center of all we do causes us to be mindful and ready.  Even Jesus does not know the time He is to come again.  He said he will come when it is unexpected, although there will be signs, wars and earthquakes for example.  Hmm…. I know other generations have though the same, but wow, we are seeing this today.

When prompted by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel we shouldn’t think, “I’ll do it tomorrow.”  We do not know if we will have a tomorrow.

Prayer:

Father God,

Way back in the Garden you orchestrated a plan to bring us back to you after Adam and Eve sinned.  Jesus, your son, came to redeem us and He taught how to follow you and walk in your ways.  He let the disciples know what is to come and they recorded it for us to learn from as well.  Thank you for your care for us.

Lord, forgive me for not being expectant of your coming and not sharing your love and redemption with others constantly.  Help me first seek your wisdom for those who are ready to hear.  Then, help me to allow you to work through me as I share your love and plan for redemption leading to eternal life with you.

Thank you that we have the promise you will come again.  Help me to be mindful, watching and waiting.

Amen

- Cindy Howard