Faithful on Fridays Blog

Jesus’ Last Week: Part Six

Jesus was clear, He didn’t know when He was coming back but that didn’t stop Him from emphasizing how important it was to be ready. Matthew alone records the similarities of Noah and the world living a life of pleasure; they were unaware of the sweeping flood; only Noah and his family were prepared. Jesus’ return will be a parallel, another separation: one will be taken and received into His care (like the ark) and one left to judgment (24:40-41). 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 

Jesus warned us four times to stay awake (Mark 13:33-37), be alert, and on guard; Luke adds an admonishment to watch yourselves (21:34-36) and the way you live. Why was it crucial during His last few days on earth to emphasize watchfulness? Maybe because we become so enmeshed in life we forget the important things, consequently, we allow the world to lull us to sleep. 

Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. Luke 21:34-36a 

THAT DAY is His return viewed by the whole earth, believers and unbelievers; we should walk in that expectation every day.

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-7 

Jesus emphatically instructed us to pray for prevailing strength to escape the tribulation that’s coming on the earth: to be overcomers (Luke 21:36). All will literally stand before Him, the Son of Man, to receive reward or judgment based on our spiritual standing. For believers, His righteousness was charged to our account,  justification, that clears us of all offenses: we are in right standing with God waiting to receive reward. 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28