Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said, 'Know this, if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We all have memories of our childhood and those who cared for us. One of mine is of my mother. As we left the house she would say, "Have you been to the toilet, and have you got a clean handkerchief?" This mantra seems to have continued on into the next generation. I seem to remember along with this went something like "Have you got on clean underwear?" Very odd, you might think, but if you had an accident and ended up in hospital.........! Yes, I know, it was odd! But for my mother this was part of getting the family ready to go out.

Our reading today is part of a section warning us to look forward to Christ's coming with anticipation. Luke uses the term 'Son of Man', a common term for the Messiah. The early disciples thought Jesus would return within their life-time, but this was not to be, and indeed maybe God's time and ours don't match up. A thousand years for us might be a day for God! But Jesus' Second Coming will occur, we are not moving aimlessly through time and space, for God has a plan, and that plan involves judgement of all His peoples.

So like the householder or my mother, we need to be ready for what might happen. It's no good thinking "I'll turn to God and ask for forgiveness at some point in the future." That might be too late. We need to be awake and be faithful if we're not to be caught out!

Wednesday 21st October, follow up thoughts

Lord Jesus,
You warned Your disciples
to stay awake
and be ready for the time
You would return.
Help us to be alert
for Your Second Coming,
as faithful members of
the Kingdom.
Amen.