READING: Zephaniah 1-3, Revelation 16
“Behold, I am coming like a thief.”
Revelation 16:15
It’s Christmas—the day we celebrate the coming of our Lord as the baby in Bethlehem. The miracle of that moment is beyond our comprehension, but I doubt we stand in as much wonder as we should; I question whether the first coming of Christ has changed our day-to-day life as much as it should. Too often, we celebrate this day but return to our daily lives the next.
Then, I’m reminded in today’s reading of the reality of Jesus’ second coming as well. In the midst of a chapter filled with terrible judgments, Jesus reminds us, “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame” (Rev. 16:15). Regardless of what one believes about the timing of Jesus’ return, we are continually reminded that we must be ready at all moments, for Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly. Our responsibility is to “stay awake,” that is, to be ever vigilant in our faithfulness to Christ so that He finds us walking in obedience when He comes. The one who is not so living will find himself embarrassed and ashamed like a man walking naked in the street.
The first coming of Jesus ought to amaze us, and His promised second coming ought to equally amaze us – and change us. We must live differently today because Jesus came to us once and will someday come again. He is the “Holy One” who will judge all things (Rev. 16:5-7).
ACTION STEPS:
- Be sure to spend some time in prayer to the Lord today. He has come to us.
- Jesus came once, and He could come again today. Live differently today because of that truth.
PRAYER: “Jesus, thank You for coming to us. Help me to live in such a way that I look forward to Your return.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Haggai 1-2, Revelation 17