Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Rachael Goodwin
Woman’s Ministry

Matthew 24:32-44

32 ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you know that he* is near, at the very gates. 34Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

36 ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,* but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 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, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day* your Lord is coming. 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. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Devotional

Advent is commonly known as a season of preparation. December is chock-full of preparations: shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, traveling- to name a few. But common advice cautions us to “sit back and enjoy the season” and to “live in the moment.” But how can a person do both? One is about forethought and planning; the other about the here and now. These two philosophies do not co-exist for many of us, particularly during the hustle-bustle of the holidays. They often lie at two opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum. At first glance, this scripture advises us to be ready at all times, have our bags packed as you never know when our Lord will return- be prepared! However, a deeper beauty can be found in this passage when we realize Jesus is not trying to trick us. He is not hoping to catch us off guard and unready. He calls us to be ready, but consider that readiness in Him is to be doing just as he taught us: living His commandments; engaging His teachings; serving His creation. By living in the moment, we are in fact prepared for His return.

Additional Readings

Zech. 2:1-13; Psalm 45; Rev. 3:14-22