40 Days of Easter 2011 Devotional

40 Days of Easter - March 26, 2011
Written by: The Hess Family (Bill & Kathy)
Poplar, Montana

Ready or not, He's Coming


Matthew 24:36-44



36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.



Jesus was talking to His disciples. They were asking about what will happen in the future. Jesus talked about all things would pass away, even Him, and there would be a great return. He told of the tribulation. He spoke of leaving and then returning at a time they would not know. He emphasized that only His Father would know (v. 36). He described practical scenarios like in days of Noah. Noah spent years believing that God told him to build an ark, years to be prepared. He prepared for himself and his family and underwent great ridicule for his belief. Jesus described two workers in a field: one stays, one goes; women grinding grain: one stays, one goes. There is a sense of a lack of preparedness on the part of mankind. It is a scripture of great warning.



Key Verse: Matthew 24:44 "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."



We need to be "ready" when He comes again. It's funny, but somehow I feel like the readiness He is leading the disciples toward is an act of the heart. He wants us to know Him and to live for Him with the anticipation that He will come at any moment. The readiness He speaks of requires obedience and a hidden rule of telling others. We do not want the person we work with to be left behind; we want everyone to know about Jesus. We want everyone to know about the Savior. We want everyone to know that He has come to save the world through His death on the cross. We will be ready for His return if we believe and obey Him and His Word. We especially want everyone to go be with Him like we are! He is coming.



Application:

Are you ready? Have you asked Jesus into your heart? Do you share the Good News with everyone? Check your heart and seek Him. Intentionally serve Him and live for Him so that all people will be drawn to Him.



Prayer: Lord Jesus, I'm ready. Help me tell others about You so they will be ready, too. I do not want anyone to be left behind. Give me a burden for those who are lost and do not know the way to You. Thank You for Jesus' dying on the cross for the sins of the world, for my sins. Thank You that I have a story to tell!