Today's Reading: Matthew 23:36-4; Introit Psalm 118:25–28; antiphon: Zechariah 9:9b

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 1:1-28; 1 Peter 1:1-12

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It’s the beginning of Advent, the preparatory season before Christmas. We know that Christmas is all about the keeping of God’s promise to send a Savior to creation. That promise was made to Adam and Eve. That promise was made to the people of the Old Testament. That promise was made to you and to me. But there was one slight problem with God’s promise: He never said when that promise would be fulfilled.

People throughout time have tried to predict the coming of Jesus, whether it be His initial coming to creation or His Second Coming. But all of those guesses are wrong. God has the time in mind: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law…” (Galatians 4:4) For whatever reason, God chose not to reveal that to His creation. In the end, it doesn’t matter when God’s promised Savior comes; what matters is that God made the promise!

It is for you that God made the promise of a Savior. Sin was not meant to be a part of creation. And so, for creation, God made and God kept the promise. As for the timing of God’s promise, that was known only to God. When God made the promise to Adam and Eve, He never told them when it would be fulfilled. In fact, not even Jesus knew when His coming would occur. 

In the end, our Lord’s coming was not a surprise. It was an event in which God had foretold His people. As for the timing, why was this not revealed as well? Again, Jesus tells us, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” God’s people, wherever and whenever, are called to be ready to receive Jesus whenever He comes, for when He comes, He comes with that which we need the most: the forgiveness of our sins.

As we begin the season of Advent, may our eyes ever be turned to Jesus, ready to welcome Him, as He fulfills God’s promise of salvation. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, amen. (Collect for the First Sunday in Advent)

-Pastor Jared Tucher serves the dual-parish of St. John – Farmer’s Retreat in Dillsboro and St. Paul, Cross Plains, Indiana.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Harrison Goodman.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.