Expecting the Unexpected - Matthew 25:36-44 December 1, 2013
At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus as the baby born in Bethlehem. As an adult, shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus speaks of his return in power and glory and warns us to be ready. The coming of the Son of Man will catch many by surprise. We should expect it to be unexpected.
All of us have things in our life that we "should have done" and "would have done" if we knew more or knew the consequences. The season of Advent is an opportunity to take Jesus at his word and to live expecting his coming return and thereby also preparing to celebrate the reality of his birth.
Matthew 25:36-44(NRSV)
“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But 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. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour"
