TIME: A POOR MOTIVATOR
Hold yourselves ready, therefore, because the Son of Man will come at the time you least expect him. Matt. 24:44, N.E.B.
An ancient story has it that Francis of Assisi was approached by one of his parishioners as he was hoeing in the garden.
"Brother Francis," the man asked, "what would you do if you knew that the Lord would be returning tomorrow?"
The wise old churchman leaned for a moment on his hoe, and then spoke with assurance. "I do believe," he said, "that I would finish hoeing my garden."
In what way would you live your life differently if you knew that Jesus would be coming in two months? Or what if it were but two days? Or even two hours? Is Jesus' lifestyle worth living only because He is coming soon? Or would you continue to live just as you do, even if you knew that Jesus wouldn't come for a hundred years?
Think with me for a moment: if what I am doing at the moment is improper, unhealthy, or otherwise unwise, I should cease doing it immediately, regardless of how soon Jesus might return. On the other hand, as long as what I'm doing is valid and useful, then the length of time I spend doing it isn't relevant.
Jesus pointedly refused to tell His disciples the time when He would return, because He didn't want that to be the reason for their obedience. He didn't want them keeping an eye on the calendar rather than on Him. Rather than being moved by fear that the clock would run out, He wanted them moved by love for Him and the magnificence of His ways.
Though we have heard it so often that some will be shocked to hear me call it into question, I believe it is a flawed argument to say, "Jesus is coming soon, therefore get ready!" Jesus is Himself good enough reason to live like Him. The real argument should read, "Live like Jesus for His sake, therefore the world will know Him, and He can come."
Our verse today does not read "Get ready." Rather, it reads, "Hold yourselves ready." It means that this very day it is possible for me to be ready, to be in a saving relationship with Him. Then my concentration is upon remaining, abiding, persevering, in that close relationship. While it is true that an understanding of prophecy and of last-day events can get my attention, only intimate, sustained fellowship with Jesus can teach me righteousness.
Hold yourselves ready, therefore, because the Son of Man will come at the time you least expect him. Matt. 24:44, N.E.B.
An ancient story has it that Francis of Assisi was approached by one of his parishioners as he was hoeing in the garden.
"Brother Francis," the man asked, "what would you do if you knew that the Lord would be returning tomorrow?"
The wise old churchman leaned for a moment on his hoe, and then spoke with assurance. "I do believe," he said, "that I would finish hoeing my garden."
In what way would you live your life differently if you knew that Jesus would be coming in two months? Or what if it were but two days? Or even two hours? Is Jesus' lifestyle worth living only because He is coming soon? Or would you continue to live just as you do, even if you knew that Jesus wouldn't come for a hundred years?
Think with me for a moment: if what I am doing at the moment is improper, unhealthy, or otherwise unwise, I should cease doing it immediately, regardless of how soon Jesus might return. On the other hand, as long as what I'm doing is valid and useful, then the length of time I spend doing it isn't relevant.
Jesus pointedly refused to tell His disciples the time when He would return, because He didn't want that to be the reason for their obedience. He didn't want them keeping an eye on the calendar rather than on Him. Rather than being moved by fear that the clock would run out, He wanted them moved by love for Him and the magnificence of His ways.
Though we have heard it so often that some will be shocked to hear me call it into question, I believe it is a flawed argument to say, "Jesus is coming soon, therefore get ready!" Jesus is Himself good enough reason to live like Him. The real argument should read, "Live like Jesus for His sake, therefore the world will know Him, and He can come."
Our verse today does not read "Get ready." Rather, it reads, "Hold yourselves ready." It means that this very day it is possible for me to be ready, to be in a saving relationship with Him. Then my concentration is upon remaining, abiding, persevering, in that close relationship. While it is true that an understanding of prophecy and of last-day events can get my attention, only intimate, sustained fellowship with Jesus can teach me righteousness.
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