Deadlines are a source of stress. Not too many
people like them.
However, deadlines serve a useful purpose. As they
approach, we tend to get things done. Deadlines give us a sense of urgency.
Today’s reading is Matthew 24:29-35.
Jesus gave his church, that is, us,
a job and a deadline. We are to proclaim the Gospel, care for people and
worship our Lord until he comes again. Jesus hints when that might be, but the
exact time is not given to us.
The deadline has many names: The Day of the Lord
and Judgment Day, among others.
Judgment Day sounds so final and even scary, yet
it will be a day of great joy for Christians. It is the start of eternity in a
perfect place with perfect people orchestrated by a perfect God!
We humans are a curious lot and want to know when
Judgment Day is. Some, unfortunately perhaps, spend too much time thinking
about it instead of working on their assignment.
Jesus gives us hints. Judgment Day will come while
there is war and rumors of war,
famines and earthquakes in various places
and many false prophets will appear.
Christians will be handed over to be persecuted
and put to death.
Let’s see … there has been war or rumors of war
for over 2000 years some place in this world. Famines are virtually an annual
occurrence somewhere and just last month there was another significant
earthquake in the world. There have been numerous false prophets in my lifetime
and Christians are being martyred almost daily in several parts of the world.
Judgment Day
must be coming soon.
Well, yeah, … but Jesus also tells us, on Judgment
Day, “the sign of the Son of Man will
appear in the sky.” That is, we
will know Judgment Day is here because we will see Jesus. That is not much to
go by if you are trying to make a prediction.
Apparently, trying to predict Judgment Day, our
deadline, is a fool’s game. Perhaps the hints are simply reminders that
Judgment Day is coming.
Perhaps we should rather feel a sense of urgency
to get our job done.
So, stay focused and carry on!
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