Matthew 24:42-44

Are you ready?

Dear KY family,

We have now entered into the Advent season. Today would be the second Sunday out of the four Sundays of Advent leading up to Christmas Day. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin root word “adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival”. The first arrival of the baby Jesus was recognised and celebrated by several groups of people – Simeon and Anna, the shepherds, and the magi. Now, more than two thousands years later, Christians all over the world, millions in number, all celebrate that first coming of the Messiah every year, and rightly so.

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (Matt 24:42)

However, in our celebrations, we must not forget the words Jesus Himself has spoken to us regarding His second coming:
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. | MATTHEW 24 : 42-44

The words “keep watch” in verse 42 can also be translated “stay awake”, but the general idea is the same. Jesus calls us to keep watch and stay awake, that we may make ourselves ready for His return. I find that the Singaporean context is very different from what Jesus is calling us to do. Singaporeans today are crippled with stress and anxiety. We keep watch and stay awake because we are afraid of losing out and falling behind. We watch and can’t sleep because we’re worried all the time about things that we did wrong or things we didn’t get done. We stay awake because we have trouble sleeping. And we watch our adversaries and competitors, or our colleagues who are up for the promotion that we are wanting. Instead, Jesus calls us to keep watch and stay awake in order to attune ourselves to the signs of God’s power and presence in this world. He says, “you, be ready.”

We do not know the day or the hour of our Lord’s return, but we do know that the day is coming. This is our Christian hope. How are we to be ready? The Scriptures are clear, we are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself”. The two greatest commandments must be evident in our lives if we are to be ready for Jesus’ return.

While our daily activities may seem similar to non-believers (ie work, school, hobbies, relationships), our underlying motivations must be radically different. The way we live, the way we work, the way we love, the way we suffer, the way we grieve – all these are done according to faith, and in hope of Christ’ return. Perhaps it would be good to give each other permission, as a spiritual family, to ask one another gently and lovingly:

Are you ready?