READING: Exodus 35-36, Matthew 25:1-30
Jesus called His followers to be ever alert for His return, but being “alert” is much more than simply watching the skies for His return. Instead, it is about being faithful to His work, ever serving Him so that we’re ready for His return at any given moment. It means loving God with all our being for every hour; should He return today, tomorrow, or years from now, we would be ready because we simply serve Him out of love and gratitude.
Those who are not ready – the foolish ones – fail to live wisely in preparation for His coming. It’s no wonder, then, that Jesus summarized the situation this way: “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour” (Matt. 25:13). The lack of specificity about the date forces us to be alert, and the possibility of that date being today forces us to live with urgency.
The pictures of alertness and urgency challenge us much. We are to keep one eye on the sky and the other eye on people who need Jesus. We’re to seek to reach this world while never getting settled here. We’re pilgrims, but pilgrims who are to keep oil in our lamps. Faithfulness means serving and watching at the same time.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to be found faithful when Jesus returns.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Review and catch up day