Luther Seminary “Moved by the Promise ‘God Pause’” - Friday, 29 November 2013 – The Necessity for Watchfulness

Luther Seminary “Moved by the Promise ‘God Pause’” - Friday, 29 November 2013 – The Necessity for Watchfulness

36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day[b] your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Footnotes:

Matthew 24:36 Other ancient authorities lack nor the Son

Matthew 24:42 Other ancient authorities read at what hour(NRSV)

I once walked in on a robbery that was taking place at my office. The thieves fled, and, when I called the police, I was scolded for my actions. I pointed out that I thought I was going to work, not to a robbery. It was unexpected and I had not really been ready for it. The officer calmed down and admitted that no one can be fully prepared for such a thing, though he warned that it does help us to pay attention to our surroundings.

None of us know when our Lord Jesus Christ will return. It is humanly impossible to be on high alert 24/7/365. We need sleep. We have work to do. We can, however, be aware of our surroundings. We can use the gifts God has given us to tend to the people we meet each day. We can show love, be kind, practice grace and generosity. Being engaged in such things will help us be ready to welcome God's kingdom when it comes.

Dear God, may we live each day actively loving you and our neighbor. May we be open to the coming of your kingdom and welcome its arrival with joy. Amen.

Rebecca Wegner

Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Brunswick, Maine

Master of Divinity , 1992

Matthew 24:36 "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark,

39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.

40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left.

42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."(New American Standard Version)

-------

Luther Seminary

2481 Como Avenue

St. Paul, MN 55108 United States

(651)641-3456

-------