February 13
Watching for Christ's return
Matthew 24:45 -- 25:13
KEY VERSE: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13
As a young boy working on the farm I was tempted to stop working and play whenever my dad
drove into town for supplies. I knew he would be gone at least an hour so that would give me plenty
of time to run down to the creek for a swim.
On hot summer days when my cousin Mickey was working with me, we would often forget about
the time and neglect to return to work before my dad returned. Our fun would suddenly be
interrupted by the sound of my dad's strong voice calling me, for he always seemed to know where I
was.
Always I was embarrassed about being caught playing when I should have been working. And I
dreaded the sharp reprimand he would give me for failing to do what I had been told to do. It was
not easy to face dad's anger and disappointment because he made it clear that I had let him down.
Jesus is away just now. But He is coming back. And when He returns He will judge me, and you,
and the world. It will not be easy to face Him on that day if we have been playing instead of
faithfully serving Him day after day, year after year.
Do I mean that Christians can never play and have fun, that we must remain constantly embroiled in
the drudgery of Christian work? No, but I do mean that we must never lose sight of the fact that our
primary task is to make disciples, not to have parties.
In some ways entertainment is the major religion of our society. Millions of dollars and man hours
are spent by millions of people in athletic events and social activities. Some of us spend more time
at the altars of the entertainment gods than we do at the altar of almighty God.
Because Jesus is coming back, and we know not the day or the hour, we shall be wise to be busy
everyday doing the work that pleases Him and brings honor to His name. Jesus does not expect me
to know when He will return, but He does expect me to be as ready as I can be when He comes
back.
Our local high school football team rushes onto the field shouting, "We're ready! We're ready!"
Are you ready for the return of the Master?