There are several old country songs based on a poem by Lois Blanchard that I
heard often as I was growing up. The words and message of that poem and
those psalms speak to the subject and the meaning of our scripture for today
found in Matthew 24 36-44. Now an updated version of those song
lyrics might go like this. Listen carefully. If Jesus came in person to your house to
spend a day or two, if he came unexpectedly without warning, I wonder
what you'd do. Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room
to such an honored guest, and all the food you'd serve him would be the very
best. you know, whole grains, organic fruit and vegetables, nothing fried, no
sugar, just like you always eat every day. And you'd keep assuring him that you're
glad to have him there, that serving him in your home was joy beyond compare.
But when you saw him coming, would you meet him at the door with arms
outstretched and welcome to your heavenly visitor? Or would you first have to delete the
pictures and messages on your phone and turn off the movie you'd been watching
on TV and stop fighting with your spouse before you let him in? Or hide some
books and magazines and put the Bible where they had been?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you go? Or maybe change your plans for just a
day or so? If you're single, would you want him to meet your boy or girlfriend,
Or would you hope they'd go away until his visit ends?
Would you like Jesus to see how you live
at home? Or would you sigh with relief
when he was finally gone?It might be interesting to know the
things that you would do if Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.
That's something to really think about, isn't it? So today we'll take a look at Matthew
chapter 24:36-44 and note the important meaning and exhortation
that is found there about always being ready for an in-person visit from Jesus.
Matthew 24:36-44 NIV The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Charities
Ross Jutsum State of the Heart – An inter-denominational ministry of music and worship.
New Life for Haiti New Life for Haiti - Home
Bengali Evangelistic Association Bengali Evangelical Association (bengalimission.org)
Bible Gateway BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
GCI Grace Communion International (gci.org)