Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 24:36-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Verse 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, Verse 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Verse 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Verse 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Devotion
Jesus foretold the event of his second coming. The second bodily coming of Jesus is not easily accepted by the modern mind. Many Christians have been ridiculed for this belief. Others are not sure. After all, more than 2,000 years have passed and it hasn’t taken place. Some try to explain this by saying that Jesus has come spiritually. Some carry on as if it will never happen. However, the second coming of Jesus is an important theme in the New Testament, which contains 318 verses about the second coming.
Christmas is around the corner. The birth of Christ was foretold by the prophets. Many are getting ready for Christmas by planning parties and dinners, exchanging presents and so forth. But are we ready to meet Christ face to face? It may catch us by surprise.
Prayer
Dear Lord, as we get closer to the celebration of your birth, may we be reminded in everything we do of your second advent, that we live a life pleasing and acceptable in your sight. Amen.