Keeping Watch For The Son Of Man
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
- The thing gatekeepers have to do above all, of course, is to stay awake.
- This is the warning Jesus issues so solemnly to his followers,
- as they face the troubled time that’s coming upon them,
- upon Israel,
- upon Jerusalem,
- and indeed in a measure on the whole world.
- The context of this passage is the end time, when everything will be taken away.
- Israel the steward, will loose his position.
- Jesus himself like man, identifying with man
- Does not know the intimate timetable of God for all events…
- Therefore the resulting command is not ‘sit down and work out a prophetic timetable’—
- Or worry over it or even delve in a horoscopic knowledge of the future
- Trust God,
- Order your ways
- Cast your life in God’s hands
- And this way ‘keep awake and watch’.
- Thus, experiencing the freedom of God
- The Messiah – Jesus came at a time, when he was expected by the people
- But he did not come in a way they desired him to come.
- And with the message they wanted the Messiah to proclaim.
- 2000 years later, we know how God did come
- We know his message and the directions he left us
- Will we keep looking out for signs of his second coming,
- and then mend/straighten our ways.
- Worry ourselves with guilt leading unordered lives,
- So that when we notice when Christ is coming, or our life is ending
- Whichever comes first, and then change our life and commitment.
- Rather straighten our lives now, and enjoy life worry free.
- Knowing God only frees us to live our lives the way we want to lead them
- And yet be in a right relationship with God.
