This week’s devotions are based on Week 3 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
One day Jesus will return.
Those words have encouraged Christians for centuries. They have also caused some anxiety. People sometimes imagine Christ’s return primarily as a frightening event. Yet for believers, the return of Jesus is meant to be a source of comfort and confidence.
After all, who is coming?
The One who suffered for us.
The One who died for us.
The One who rose for us.
The One who reigns for us.
The Judge of all the earth is the very Savior who shed His blood to redeem us.
Imagine waiting at an airport for a loved one you have not seen in years. As arrival time approaches, you are not filled with dread. You are filled with anticipation. You cannot wait for the doors to open and for the reunion to begin.
That is how Christians are invited to view Christ’s return.
Yes, Jesus will come in glory. Yes, He will judge the living and the dead. But those who trust in Him already know the verdict. Christ has carried their judgment on the cross. Their future is secure because their Savior is faithful.
This does not mean we become careless. Jesus repeatedly calls His followers to watchfulness and readiness. We do not know the day or the hour. Every generation of Christians has lived with the expectation that Christ could return at any time.
Living in readiness does not mean standing on a hillside staring at the sky. It means living faithfully today.
It means repenting when we sin.
It means forgiving others as we have been forgiven.
It means serving our neighbors.
It means sharing the Gospel.
It means faithfully carrying out the callings God has given us.
Think of a servant whose master is away on a journey. A wise servant does not spend his days speculating about the master’s arrival. He simply stays busy doing the work he was given. Then when the master arrives, he is found faithful.
That is the Christian life.
Luther’s explanation ends with the confidence that Christ “lives and reigns to all eternity.” The King who reigns today is the King who will return tomorrow. Nothing can prevent His coming. Nothing can stop His promises.
When the world feels unstable, remember this: history is not spinning out of control. It is moving toward a glorious conclusion. Jesus will return. Every wrong will be made right. Every tear will be wiped away. Every promise will be fulfilled.
Until then, watch, pray, and live with confidence!
Reflect: When you think about Christ’s return, do you feel more fear or anticipation? Why? What would it look like for you to live more intentionally in readiness for Christ’s return?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that You are coming again. Keep me faithful as I wait for that day. Help me live with confidence, watchfulness, and joy, knowing that my future is secure in You. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.