Advent . Preparation . Episode 1
Scripture Matthew 24: 36-44 Series: Advent
Advent Sunday is the beginning of a new church year. It is a time of waiting. What are you waiting for?
Traditionally, Advent is the countdown to Christmas. I hate to disappoint you because today we're going to take a look at the second reason for the season of Advent: Jesus' Second coming.
Let us read Matthew 24: 36-44
I find it hard to speak about this stuff. Apocalyptic - it's almost like sci-fi movies like 'Pale Rider', 'Armageddon' or 'Matrix Greenland' and '2067' or Justice League. The Apocalypse is not a parable, not miracles of Jesus but words of Jesus to do with, end times and Jesus' Second coming.
“ 39 yet they did not realize what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes. 43 Like a thief in the night. 44 So be ready!
I watched a Christian film when I was a teen ‘Like a Thief in the Night’ and it scared the wits out of me. It was based on our Matthew 24 reading, and I thought, I don't want to be left behind. It's sombre stuff that you find mostly in the Old Testament book of Daniel, in the New Testament in Revelation and the four Gospels. Look at Matthew24:39, 43, 44
The other side to Advent is the nice side. Four weeks before Christmas, we read the prophecies of how God promised to send a messiah. Like any family looking forward to the birth of a new child – we as Christians begin to prepare for the nativity. But our Bible reading today is not about the nativity, the birth of Jesus; it describes the return of the triumphant Christ in great power and glory (Mark 13:26).
You might say this is an odd text for the beginning of the 'Season to be Jolly,' a strange text for the beginning of our Advent series. But like many of Jesus' teachings. It is a call to look to Him and believe in Him; it is a call to look at our lives and ask if we are ready for His return, rather than looking at the world and seeing these terrible times and predicting dates for the end of the world.
So when will it be - this Second coming?
“ 33 when you see all these things, you know that the time is near.
Matthew 24:15 Jesus had predicted an 'awful horror,' the destruction of the temple. A generation after Jesus died, in A.D.70, the temple was burned, and later not one stone was left standing on another. Jesus predicted things would get darker than that. Matthew 24:33
Before Covid and before all the exposure about climate change, we had a 'things can only get better' attitude, carelessly carefree. But Matthew 24:33 says when you see these things, you will know the time is near 24:27
“ 27 For the Son of Man will come like the lightning which flashes across the whole sky from the east to the west.
That's the apocalyptic Christ, the Second coming of Christ will come with great power and glory (Mark 13:26). In 2021 we saw Floods devastate Europe and India. Even in the UK …sandbags were no protection; they needed rescuing, they needed a boat, they needed a rescuer. As we look at our news, some of us may fear what the world may be like for our children. The truth is it's not a question of sandbags or flood defences. We know there is always the potential for even more deadly viruses to mutate. To be honest, to look, worry, and panic is like putting sandbags against a rising flood. We need to be rescued. We need to step into the boat captained by our rescuer.
Our Lord Jesus calls us to turn to him, look to the apocalyptic Christ - the one who said he will come again to save us. We must be ready; we must tell our friends and urge them not to ignore our Lord this Christmas. The Second coming of Christ is a reality, and it is mentioned more times than the first Christmas in the Bible.
What should we do?
Wear Sandwich boards saying "The End is Nigh"?' Sometimes I think I should do that. I feel so strongly about wanting everyone to know the truth and reality of this, but it is not relational; it's more like bible bashing. What should we do? I believe we should be readying ourselves and prayerfully seeking opportunities to share with and serve our friends.
A teacher told the story of a mum who asked about Advent at a Parents Evening. Her 7-year-old boy had come home saying he knew all about Advent and 'this year Jesus was coming down the chimney with Santa!
It is a misunderstanding, but it highlights how easy it can be to get Jesus Second coming mixed up with our Christmas festivities.
This Advent let us not debate or worry about when the end times will be but focus on the one who loved us so much that he was born at Christmas and loved you so much he died for you. Let us celebrate his love for our world this Advent. Even though our world may be in a dark place (spiritually, climate change and much more). We saw 2000 years ago what God did when the world was dark. Not plagues, not supernatural pyrotechnics. He said, 'let there be light.' And that 'light of the world' was a child born of Mary in the Middle East. A child, vulnerable easily loved by those who come to worship and adore him but also easily ignored.
God chose to take on human life to put in motion the greatest rescue ever, our salvation. This Advent, let us look to both Part One and Part Two of the rescue. One the baby in the manger and Two the second coming.
As we look at those two parts of this Advent, we see Almighty God is still vulnerable reaching out. Easily loved by some who come to worship and adore him but also easily ignored by those who wish to use his name to curse and ignore him.
Jesus says: What will you choose this Advent?
Curse me, Ignore me or Love me what's it to be? I hope you chose to love the Rescuer, Christ the Lord! What are you waiting for this Advent? Jesus Christ is waiting for you to respond.
