1st Sunday Advent A

The Gospel of Matthew The Unknown Day and Hour (24:36–44)

Here we have a contrast between the days leading up to judgment and the day when it strikes. Noah’s generation did not know that God was about to pour out his judgment in the torrents of the flood, and so they went about their business, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. By the time the rains came roaring down, it was too late, and all but Noah and his family were carried away to a watery death. The point is that Noah readied himself for what was coming not by sitting around and watching the sky but by making diligent preparations in obedience to God.

Here we have a contrast between the days leading up to judgment and the day when it strikes. Noah’s generation did not know that God was about to pour out his judgment in the torrents of the flood, and so they went about their business, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. By the time the rains came roaring down, it was too late, and all but Noah and his family were carried away to a watery death. The point is that Noah readied himself for what was coming not by sitting around and watching the sky but by making diligent preparations in obedience to God.

The Son of Man will likewise come suddenly and unexpectedly, so disciples must be prepared.

When it finally arrives, the hour when the Lord comes will catch many by surprise. His arrival will be “like a thief at night” (). The danger is that disciples will be lulled to sleep, like the master of a house who settled down to bed, only to discover in the morning that a nighttime burglar made off with his valuables. Preparedness for the Lord’s return requires spiritual alertness and vigilance.

Mitch, C., & Sri, E. (2010). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 314). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Instead of trying to predict the future, Jesus wants us to prepare for it. The former is a waste of time; the latter is an exercise of wisdom that every disciple should take to heart. The Lord is calling each of us to a state of readiness.

Mitch, C., & Sri, E. (2010). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 314). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Mitch, C., & Sri, E. (2010). The Gospel of Matthew (p. 315). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

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Here is the practical outcome of all that has gone before. If the day and the hour of the coming of Christ are known to none save God, then all life must be a constant preparation for that coming. And, if that is so, there are certain basic sins.

Here is the practical outcome of all that has gone before. If the day and the hour of the coming of Christ are known to none save God, then all life must be a constant preparation for that coming. And, if that is so, there are certain basic sins.

(1) To live without watchfulness invites disaster. Thieves do not send a letter saying when they are going to burgle a house; the principal weapon in their wicked undertakings is surprise; therefore a householder who has valuables in the house must maintain a constant guard. But to get this picture right, we must remember that the watching of the Christian for the coming of Christ is not that of terror-stricken fear and shivering apprehension; it is the watching of eager expectation for the coming of glory and joy.

(2) The spirit which leads to disaster is the spirit which says there is plenty of time. It is the comfortable delusion of the servant that he will have plenty of time to put things to rights before his master returns.

There is a fable which tells of three apprentice devils who were coming to this earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the chief of the devils, about their plans to tempt and ruin men and women. The first said: ‘I will tell them there is no God.’ Satan said: ‘That will not delude many, for they know that there is a God.’ The second said: ‘I will tell them there is no hell.’ Satan answered: ‘You will deceive no one that way; they know even now that there is a hell for sin.’ The third said: ‘I will tell them there is no hurry.’ ‘Go,’ said Satan, ‘and you will ruin them by the thousand.’ The most dangerous of all delusions is that there is plenty of time. The most dangerous day of our lives is when we learn that there is such a word as tomorrow. There are things which must not be put off, for none of us knows if for us tomorrow will ever come.

(3) Rejection is based on failure in duty, and reward is based on fidelity. The servant who fulfilled his duty faithfully was given a still greater place; and the servant who failed was severely dealt with. The inevitable conclusion is that, when he comes, Jesus Christ can find us employed in no better and greater task than in doing our duty.

Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (Third Ed., pp. 370–371). Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press.

Coming of Christ: 1. As baby, 2. Through Grace & 3. In Glory