Don't get caught up in times...
Illustration
Object:
Don't get caught up in times and dates. When the year 2000 came, the bookstores filled with volumes on the time of the end (even though Jesus was probably born about 4 or 5 BC). There is something in us that wants to know exact times so we can plan ahead. Then we don't have to live every day as if the Lord might come at any moment (as though that were a threat).
It appears that only a few like John had seen a hint that the Messiah was coming. It certainly fooled the temple aristocracy, who felt insulted and left out that they were not the first to be notified so they could prepare. They had a chip on their shoulder that even led them to vote for a cross on the one they were looking to come. Even Jesus said he did not know the time. Then why should we know it? Add to that the fact that he is with us now as well as being with us for eternity.
Since we don't know the time, we had better be ready -- always ready! Aren't our minds crowded with urgent business that must be taken care of now? Aren't we always thinking of what we have to do next? If a husband isn't thinking ahead, his wife will be helping -- "When are you going to take out the garbage?" "When are you going to get the faucet (or the roof or the furnace) fixed?" Especially when you own a home, there are always things to be done. We even make lists. Do we ever add, "Be prepared for the Lord in case he comes today"? If we want to be ready for a family member or friend to come and visit, shouldn't we be ready for the King of kings? In a pastor's ministry he is often faced with hospital visits or funerals for people that had not expected life to end or to end so quickly.
I met a member of my church, who I hadn't seen in a long time, coming out of the church crying. She said that her husband had died, but she was afraid to call me while he was in the hospital because if he saw me he would know, he didn't have long to live. She didn't want to frighten him. Now God would take care of that.
Are we dreading the Lord's coming? He did not plan suffering for us. We should have faith and hope -- and most important, love. They should be a part of our everyday life. It doesn't mean that we should never go to bed and sleep. It is saying that we are children of his light and should never fall back into Satan's darkness. One way to help with this is to remain a faithful active member of his holy church because one day we will all be up with him for eternity -- not as a threat, but as a blessing -- a promise. How hard it is to make God's coming a priority when there is so much joy to look forward to?
It appears that only a few like John had seen a hint that the Messiah was coming. It certainly fooled the temple aristocracy, who felt insulted and left out that they were not the first to be notified so they could prepare. They had a chip on their shoulder that even led them to vote for a cross on the one they were looking to come. Even Jesus said he did not know the time. Then why should we know it? Add to that the fact that he is with us now as well as being with us for eternity.
Since we don't know the time, we had better be ready -- always ready! Aren't our minds crowded with urgent business that must be taken care of now? Aren't we always thinking of what we have to do next? If a husband isn't thinking ahead, his wife will be helping -- "When are you going to take out the garbage?" "When are you going to get the faucet (or the roof or the furnace) fixed?" Especially when you own a home, there are always things to be done. We even make lists. Do we ever add, "Be prepared for the Lord in case he comes today"? If we want to be ready for a family member or friend to come and visit, shouldn't we be ready for the King of kings? In a pastor's ministry he is often faced with hospital visits or funerals for people that had not expected life to end or to end so quickly.
I met a member of my church, who I hadn't seen in a long time, coming out of the church crying. She said that her husband had died, but she was afraid to call me while he was in the hospital because if he saw me he would know, he didn't have long to live. She didn't want to frighten him. Now God would take care of that.
Are we dreading the Lord's coming? He did not plan suffering for us. We should have faith and hope -- and most important, love. They should be a part of our everyday life. It doesn't mean that we should never go to bed and sleep. It is saying that we are children of his light and should never fall back into Satan's darkness. One way to help with this is to remain a faithful active member of his holy church because one day we will all be up with him for eternity -- not as a threat, but as a blessing -- a promise. How hard it is to make God's coming a priority when there is so much joy to look forward to?
