I remember clearly the weekend that our neighbours went away for the weekend and left their teenage children in charge of the family home. In predictable form, the (adult) kids had a massive party on the first night, obviously thinking that they had plenty of time to clean up prior to their parents arriving. That wasn’t the case, and when the parents arrived home early (on a day and an hour that no one was expecting), the whole street heard the result! Similarly, in verses 43-44, Jesus’ message is clear: if you knew your house was going to be burgled then you wouldn’t have been caught by surprise, therefore, not knowing when Jesus will return should mean that we’re all the more ready!

And the key way in which we are to prepare for Jesus’ return is to keep watch. That in the knowledge that Jesus: (a) is returning, (b) to judge the world, and (c) at an hour that no one knows, then we should be anticipating that he could return at any moment! Perhaps even before you’ve finished today’s reflection!

Does that mean that we should camp on our rooftops with telescopes pointed up into the sky? Uhh, no. But that in the knowledge of Jesus’ return, we should be living as our Master expects (as per 45-51). That the way in which Jesus desires us to be living as disciples expecting his imminent return, is as faithful (trusting in him), obedient (following his will for our lives), and wise (reflecting his priorities). What does that mean? That the greater conviction that we have of Jesus’ return, the more we’ll be motivated to live now, in a way that would please him when he arrives. That when the Lord arrives, that he wouldn’t find us living in a mess of disobedience, but seeking to please him in his absence. AL

Questions

How can not knowing when Jesus will return make us complacent? What do you think it looks like to live in a way that pleases the Lord? How can you have an even greater clarity of the certainty of Jesus’ return?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please help us to not be complacent as we await your return, but that we would instead keep watch and live lives that will please you. May the certainty of your return shape the character of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.