BE WATCHING AND WAITING
Luke 21:25–28
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The night before was a great evening of elk hunting. Just before dark I called in a huge 6x7 bull with heavy dark antlers, and beautiful glowing white tips. By the time we found him it was well after dark and because it was going to be a cold night, we dressed him out, split his hind quarters and pulled him up on some logs. We laid him on his back and tied his legs off so the cold air would cool the body down. It was very late before we got back to camp.
In the morning, I went back up the mountain and started butchering. Others were going to hunt for a while and then come and assist me in butchering and packing. I kept working, listening and watching for others to come up the mountain. I wondered what happened to everyone, they knew I was waiting, yet no one arrived. I had the bull completely skinned and quartered and tied on the racks of the ATV and was driving back towards the truck when someone showed up to help. The others got tied up with elk bugling and didn't leave to help. It was a long and discouraging wait.
Yesterday was Easter, the day that Jesus rose again from the tomb. That night and two days following the crucifixion as well as that morning the disciples must have been wondering If Jesus was coming back for them.
He had spoken of His kingdom, and they were excited to think about serving alongside Him and now He was gone. Then they were somehow shocked when the women returned to tell them that the tomb was empty. Where could He have gone, what could have happened to His body? At the time they hadn't remembered what He had said about raising again.
Later that day, they saw Him themselves... soon, after time spent with Jesus, He was gone again... ever since, we've all been watching and waiting.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Like that morning on the mountain, we should be watching and always waiting for the return of Jesus. We should be prepared and be found doing the work that He left for us to do. Are you watching? Are you ready? If he returns today, will you be found doing His work?
Be watching and waiting.
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