Matthew 24:29-51
Friday, 04 November 2022
“And he will send His angels ….and they will gather together His elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other.” -Matthew 24:31
Today’s reading is part of the Olivet discourse that Jesus had with His disciples on the things that were expected to happen at the end of time. In these warnings Jesus prepared His disciples on what they would experience around them and how they were to keep themselves until the coming of the Lord. These words ring out loud and clear to each of us even today as we await His return.
So, how must we prepare ourselves for His coming?
1. Be Watchful (V33) - In this verse Jesus is using a metaphor to show us that His coming is very near by using the phrase “at the doors!” This means the only time left is for the door to be opened. With time so short at our hands, is our life ready for Him to meet us? Here are 3 areas we need to be watchful about:
· 1 Cor. 16: 13 – Be watchful by standing firm in the faith.
· Col 4:2 – Be watchful in continuous steadfast prayer with thanksgiving.
· 1 Peter 5:8 – Be watchful of your enemy who is prowling about to devour you, so be sober minded.
May we ever be watchful over our spiritual lives so that we would not be lacking in anything when we meet Him face to face.
2. Be Ready (V 44)- In this verse Jesus cautions us to be ready since His coming will be a sudden affair where we would not have any time to make remedies, rectify or revise anything in our lives. We are called to always remember that this world is not our home and that our citizenship is in heaven. Jesus compares the world here to the times of Noah – a self-gratifying world. Yet Noah lived righteously pleasing God. Is our world any different today?
So how can we be always ready for His return?
· Do not worry – In Matt 6:31-33 Jesus tells us not to worry about the many needs of life. He tells us that these things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, and if we lack understanding of our heavenly Father then we are bound to worry. We need to keep in mind that our heavenly Father already knows all that we need.
Our Call& Promise: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matt.6:33)
· Pull out the thorns – In the story of the Sower and the seed, Jesus tells us about the seed that fell among thorns. This describes a heart that desires other things –“the deceitfulness of wealth and the pleasures of life.” These things choke out the love of Christ from our lives.
Our Remedy – “…break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until he comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.” (Hosea 10:12)
May we be free from these cares!
3. Be Serving (Vs 45&46) - In Matt. 6:24, Jesus warns His disciples the impossibility of serving two masters. Here Jesus lays down the characteristics of the one who serves Him -he /she is faithful, wise and spiritually feeding the ones under their care.
How can we remain serving faithfully until Jesus returns?
We must always remember that we-
· render service, as to the Lord, and not to men. (Eph. 6:7)
· are not to lag behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit when serving the Lord (Rom. 12:11)
· do not love the world or the things in the world. If we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us. (1 John 2:15)
If we are careful to guard ourselves in these three areas we are sure to hear our Lord say on that day –“Well done good and faithful servant!”
Quote for the day – “Christians must live prepared lives to meet their Saviour at any moment.” David Jeremiah
Listen: 'Lo He comes with clouds descending '
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