Day 37

Exodus 23:14–25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27

TODAY IN MATTHEW’s Gospel, Jesus continued talking about the end times. “The sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken,” Jesus taught, quoting Isaiah 13 and Joel 2. “And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth” (Matthew 24:29-30).

Once again, Jesus revealed that the things we deeply long for are preceded by things we’d rather skip. Or to put it closer to His vernacular, we want the baby without the labor pains. But only the pain —the contractions and pushing —can bring new birth.

For millennia, we’ve tried to observe the signs of the times and make predictions on where we find ourselves cosmically. But living this way can lead to uncertainty, fear, and hysteria. Jesus called us to a different perspective:

No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. . . . So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

These words have the power to change how we live every moment of our lives, starting right now! Jesus told us that yes, things are going to get bumpy. But our heart’s posture is not to be one of fear or panic; rather, we should live with awareness and hope. We’re not going to figure out something that even Jesus claims not to know. But we can —and must —be prepared and aware.

The correct stance toward the future is to live as if it’s already underway. If we heed this counsel, we will be ready —ready for the end times and ready to participate in and collaborate with God in the redemption of the world right now.

WORSHIP:

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. . . . You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!