Matthew 24:37-44
A. INTRODUCTION
In life, there are things that we can be sure that will happen, and we can prepare for such events. Things like birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and anniversaries, Although sometimes not as spaced out as much as we’d like them, nevertheless, with their set dates, it makes them relatively easy to prepare for. As a consequence, we can make appointments, arrange things to suit our own needs, and make preparations—because we are in relative control.
However, there are also events that are not so certain, over which we have very little or no control. Anything from an unexpected visitor to a break in, to being caught by a speed camera. But even then there are people who manage to prepare well. Indeed, some keep a well-stocked larder in case of unexpected visitors, many people insure for events like break ins or other losses. And the speed camera? Well there’s nothing like driving within the speed limit, to avoid the otherwise inevitable consequences.
So, some things are more certain than others, some things need more preparation than others, and some things will come as a total surprise, no matter how much preparation is undertaken. Because there are things that get by us. And some people just don’t have the knack of being ready, no matter what the event or occasion.
Of course, some matters are so trivial, it doesn’t matter if they are forgotten or ignored. However, there are other matters that are so serious, that if we forget, we do so at our own peril. And one such event, that is deadly serious, is the one we usually remind of today. Ignore it, and we risk not only putting our relationship with God, in the here and now, in jeopardy, but our whole place in the afterlife too.
B. THE GOSPEL
And the event? The second coming of Christ: The time when Jesus will return to judge the whole world. And according to the Bible there is nothing more certain than this event. And there is nothing more important to prepared for.
1. Background (Matthew 25:31-34,46)
The second coming, according to Matthew, is the time when Jesus, the Son of man, will return in all his splendour. He will sit on his throne in heavenly glory, and all the nations will be gathered around him. And he will then separate the sheep from the goats—the faithful from the unfaithful. The faithful will then receive their inheritance, and the unfaithful will receive their eternal punishment.
Now can you think of anything more important to prepare for: the second coming. There’s nothing more certain. However, for those like me who like things orderly, and you want a date so that you can order your life, then you are going to be very disappointed. Because the second coming comes with a warning: no one (apart from God) knows when it’s going to occur. All we know is that we need to be ready.
2.Parallels with Noah (37-41)
However, as today’s gospel tells us, sadly people are not going to be ready. Because just as the people weren’t ready in Noah’s time for the flood, so they are not going to be ready for the second coming either.
In the time of Noah before the flood, people carried on with their normal lives despite the signs and warnings that the end was near. The normal routine of life continued. And so, we are told, it will be the same for the day that Jesus comes again.
And, just as the people in Noah’s day had their lives cut short, so history will repeat itself at the second coming, However, even though we don’t know exactly when it’s going to happen, we do have some signs to follow.
a) Noah (Genesis 6:5-7:10)
In the story of Noah, we are told the flood came only after a number of things had occurred.
Firstly, we are told that God looked at the world, and saw how evil mankind had become (6:5). Man had turned away from God (6:5), and the whole world was full of corruption and violence (6;11-12).
Secondly, as God looked at his creation, he regretted creating mankind. God grieved, and his heart was full of pain (6:6).
Thirdly, God then resolved to do something about it. He decided to wipe mankind from the face of the world. He decided to put an end to all the greed, suffering, and pain (6:7,13,17).
Fourthly, before God carried out his task, he looked around to see if there was anyone who was righteous. And he found, one man who was faithful to him: Noah (6:8-9), So he provided the means by which Noah and his family—together with a sample of all living creatures—could be saved from the holocaust. (6:14-16,18-7:9).
And only then, fifthly, did he carry out his judgement: the destruction of all other life.
b) Implications for the Second Coming
So, following that example, the implications for the Second Coming are clear.
Firstly, it’s not difficult to see how wicked mankind has become again. After all how many believe and are faithful in their worship of God their creator? You only have to watch the news to see how corrupt and full of violence our world is. We may not be able to make a direct comparison with how our world is compared with Noah’s, but even in Jesus’s day, Jesus despaired even at the wicked generation (Mt 12:39, 45).
Secondly, can you imagine the grief that God the Father felt, seeing Jesus being crucified on the cross. The crucifixion . . . It’s not just a story of a man dying, it’s also symbolic of the rejection of God by the world.
Thirdly, God’s solution: not another flood. He’d already promised he wouldn’t do that, and the presence of his rainbow is a continual reminder of his promise not to repeat that same solution (Gen 9:13). No, this time, the final solution, Jesus spelt out, is none other than the end of the world, and a final reckoning with people being made to account for their faithfulness (or otherwise) to God.
And fourth, and fifthly, the rescue of the faithful—being reward with eternal life with God. And the removal of the unfaithful—being given their reward too: eternal punishment.
Things couldn’t be much plainer or clearer. The second coming is a definite future event. One for which we all need to prepare. But yet how many, today, take it seriously? How many are really prepared?
3. Be Prepared (42-44)
Keep watch, be prepared, the gospel tells us. This is an event which is guaranteed to happen. But it will occur at a time that will surprise—when we least suspect it.
C. COMMENT
But just, how do you prepare for such an event? How can you prepare to face your maker and judge?
Well, let’s look at the example of Noah. After all, he was seen by God to be righteous, blameless, and found favour in his eyes. (Genesis 6:8-9). And although there aren’t too many words written about Noah’s faith prior to the flood, you do get the impression that Noah was a man of God; that he was faithful; and that he was deeply committed to his God and creator. He obviously had spent much time listening to God, and living his life as though God was the most important thing in his life. As a consequence, his relationship with God permeated everything that he did.
And how do we know that? Well how else did God pick out Noah as someone so special. Not only that, but after having been given all the instructions to build the ark, when everyone else was just carrying on their normal lives around him, Noah was the one who was building a hundred-and thirty-seven-metre-long boat, and gathering together all the animals, birds, and insects necessary to fill it.
Now can you imagine the sort of taunts that Noah would have received from all around? People who either thought he was a religious nut, or just plain loopy. After all you can’t build a huge boat, and gather lots of animals together without getting some attention.
And us? Well we need to become like Noah too. But I’m not suggesting that we should all start building arks in our back yards. (although I’m sure someone has worked out such plans). Nevertheless, if we’re going to be like Noah, we need to do certain things.
Firstly, we need to listen to God. We need to spend time with him on a regular basis. And we need to hear what he has to say, not just what we want him to say. And if Jesus says there is no other way to God but through him, we need to take it seriously. Indeed, no more: ‘I’ve led a good life’. No more: ‘I’ve done my bit’. That’s not what Jesus said. Instead, we need to put our total trust and faith in God for salvation. Get this one wrong, and we can forget about all the rest.
Secondly, we need to obey God. If we are to be good Christians then we need to care for one another. We need to practice meeting together not only to worship God, but, importantly, to encourage one another in the faith. And we need to be obedient to Jesus in sharing our faith with people who don’t know him.
Thirdly, if we’re to live as though God is the most important person in our lives, then everything we do we should bring to God. The decisions in life . . . everything. Everything that we do should be decided only after we have made consultations with God.
And fourthly, if God is to permeate our lives, we will have to stop doing things which are getting in the way. Things that are obstacle to our faith.
Religious nuts, or just plain kooky? That is the way that some will see us. But when the second coming comes—or if we die first and come to face our maker anyway—who is it that needs to be prepared?
D. CONCLUSION
As I said at the outset, in life there are some things that are certain (and not just death and taxes either). There are events that we know will take place, and we even know the exact day and time that they’re going to happen. And we would be wise to prepare for them.
And with the second coming we have a sure event. Only this time we don’t know when it will happen. Yet all the signs are there—and it could be soon. But whether it is soon or not, we need to be ready. We need to be ready to face our maker and our judge.
Now it always amazes me that we live in a society that to a great degree has ignored the basics of the Christian faith. Oh, yes, they may have adopted some of its ethics as making sense for good order, But by and large our society has missed the whole point of the Christian faith. And that’s a real shame. Because there are people who are good at organising themselves, and others who are hopeless. But the most important issue of the day—getting ready for the second coming—is usually the one that gets ignored. It’s as though it’s an optional extra. It’s like people only pay lip service to the message of Jesus and the Bible.
Now we may not be able to change people’s minds or their attitudes. But the least we can do is let them know the consequences. And if that means that we will be treated as religious nuts, then so be it. Because the reality is, that people will remain no more ready for judgement, than the people of Noah’s time were ready for the flood.
The second coming! There is nothing more certain, And nothing more important to prepare for. While the rest of the world yawns, and says ho-hum, we still need to make sure that we are ready ourselves.
So today, are we ready? Are we ready to meet our maker at the end of the world? The signs are all there, but whether it is today, tomorrow, or not even in our life time, are we ready? Because we won’t be given a second chance.
Posted: 11th May 2023
© 2023, Brian A Curtis
www.brianacurtis.com.au
