Verse of the Day 4/1

 

Matthew 24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 

The end of the world is coming!  April fools!  Or is it?  I've haven't been one who has often pulled April fool's jokes on people though I've often been subjected to such jokes.  But today's subject is no joke, yet if you told someone that they'd better prepare for the end of the world they'd probably think you were some kind of nut, some kind of fanatic.  But what does this passage teach us?

 

From verse 36 to the end of Matthew 24 we see a picture of normal life being abruptly interrupted.  We have probably had times in our lives where the normal was suddenly broken by an event that would change and perhaps shape the rest of our lives.  What this passage is telling us is that there will be another event that will happen that will change everything, for eternity.  The message is that we should not take God for granted.  He has a plan, He has a purpose.  Just as Jesus came with a purpose over 2000 years ago, He will return with a purpose at some point in the future.  The call for us is to be ready, whenever that time will be.

 

We should go on with our normal every day activities, but as a follower, moving forward.  In the Christian life we are always moving, either forwards or backwards.  We cannot coast, if we think we can do so we will find ourselves drifting.

So we move forward day by day in the readiness that Jesus expects from us.

 

You may be familiar with 2 Peter 3:18 which calls us to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ".  The Message translation/paraphrase brings today's thoughts into the verse:

 

2 Peter 3:17-18  But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!

Don't be fooled by those who say the end of the world is not coming.  It may not be soon, but whenever it will come be warned, be ready, and prepare by growing in the grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 24:36-44

The Message (MSG)

³⁶ "But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.

^37-39 "The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

^39-44 "The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.