Teaching Tuesday

Matthew 24:42—Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

The party had been months in the planning. The hardest part was figuring out how to get his wife out of the house so that he could decorate, cook the food, invite in the guests and stage the surprise. He pulled it all off without a hitch. Everything was set to go, except, not knowing what he was planning, she kept delaying coming back home. The guest waited and waited. They wanted to eat. They wanted to celebrate, but they got distracted. Some started playing games; some went home; some sat down to watch some tv. Only a few kept watching; only a few hid; only a few yelled surprise; only a few got to enjoy the party with the guest of honor. Waiting is hard to do, but sometimes it is necessary.

Who is going to be surprised when Jesus comes back? It isn’t going to be Jesus.Two days before he was going to be betrayed, Jesus told his followers that they were going to need to be ready at all times for his return. After Jesus died, he ascended into heaven. He is preparing a place there for all believers, and when it is ready he will come back to take us to be with him. We know we will be surprised on that day. The question we need to ask is this: will we be ready? Jesus is throwing the party. He has prepared the banquet hall. Jesus is setting the table and inviting the guests. His invitation goes out to you. When he returns, may he find us waiting with faith, so that we will be joyfully surprised.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, while you were on earth you taught that no one would know the day or the hour of your return and commanded us to be ready for that day. Keep us ready. Keep the lamps of our faith burning. Keep our hearts eager. Keep our lives pure by the washing you have given us. Make us eager for the day of your return. Come, quickly Lord Jesus. Amen

Hymn 207 vs 1, 5, 6