While waiting for His return
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:42-44
From the text, the Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples about His imminent return. The disciples became focused on the details of Christ’s return that some started to incorrectly speculate about His second coming. Jesus was not concerned so much on the details of His coming but rather on the actions of His disciples as they await for His return. He wants them to be assured and hopeful expecting His return. He wants them to be ready that this readiness is reflected in the way they live their lives. Their eager anticipation of His coming will reflect on how they engaged in the present, getting involved in expanding His kingdom. This is what Jesus’ parable of the Wise and Wicked Servants demonstrated (see Matthew 24:45-51). In the parable, the faithful and wise servant provided careful attention for the master’s household during his absence while the wicked servant uses the time frivolously engaging in partying and beating his fellow servants. When the master returned the faithful servant was commended for his faithful service while the wicked servant was punished. The parable’s emphasis was to challenge the disciples to use their time wisely during Jesus’ absence by doing the work they were called to do. The same exhortation goes out to us. We should be filled with hope, expectation, and overflowing with the good news. We should be willing to build up those around us and let those who have no hope see in us that there is something in store for those whose blessed hope is in Christ. Let us live in readiness and expectation that others will desire what we have and come to the Source that provided us hope. How easy it is to overlook the implication of the eternal hope in our everyday lives. Such attitude will lead us to disregard what God is doing right now and in the lives of others. When we are actively engaged in the present, we will be involved in spreading the good news, and being involved in His Kingdom work. We will discover our spiritual gifts and will find opportunities to use them. Do you anticipate His return any time? If so, are you active in taking part in ushering in His kingdom? If not, what is preventing you from doing so? “So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:6-8).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
New sermon upload on YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuhzVbg2RdY
