Main readings: Isaiah 2.1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13.9-14; Matthew 24.36-44
Supplementary readings: Psalm 80; 2 Corinthians 12.1-9; Isaiah 2.10-19, 4.2-6; Psalm 11; Matthew 24.45-51
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Matthew 24.44)
The police needed to enter our gated community recently to allow an ambulance access to a critically ill neighbour. They rang several houses to open the gate at 5.10am! Neighbours stumbled to their entry phones in their night attire – certainly not prepared for such an emergency.
The day and the hour Jesus is referring to in Matthew 24 is the Day of Judgement. Jesus warns that this Day will come as unexpectedly as the day of Noah’s flood. It is a Day we need to prepare for – not stumble in the dark toward. It is the Day when God the Father cries “enough!” Enough waiting and enough of the atrocities that litter our history, and it is time for the new heaven and the new earth without evil, pain or suffering to come about – the advent of a totally new creation.
Just as many deride Christians in our own culture, so Noah must have been a laughing stock by the many who carried on with normal life, eating, drinking and weddings, until Noah entered the ark. It all seemed ridiculous until it was too late. How do we prepare for this Second Advent of Christ? By placing our faith and hope of salvation entirely in the Lord Jesus, His cross bearing our sin and His resurrected glory being our only hope.
During Advent it is a good time to take stock, to ensure we engage with our Saviour through daily prayer, Bible study, witness and worship.
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