April 1, 2016
STAY AWAKE TODAY: FOCUS ON THE KNOWN
Matthew 24:32–51
Ryan Duncan
Central Truth
Christ is coming back at an unknown time, and He is calling us to be ready for that day right now by responding and living in the known of today!
"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." (Revelation 22:12)
Key Verse | Matthew 24:42
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)
Matthew 24:32–51
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
32 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
No One Knows That Day and Hour
36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, 1 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, 2 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50 whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants 3 24:49 Or bondservants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Dive Deeper | Matthew 24:32–51
I struggle with control.
One of the ways my desire to control manifests itself is in my inability to faithfully live every day in the unknown. I cannot think of a better passage that more clearly speaks to how God is in complete control and how I should respond faithfully in the unknown.
This passage in Matthew, and corresponding Scripture in Revelation, makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is returning. But the text also makes it clear that we do not know exactly when. OK, so what do we do with that? Matthew 24:44 answers that question: "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
So even though we may not know when Christ is returning, we can respond to the call to be ready today! When my struggle with control is at its highest, I lose sight of the beautiful things God has put in my life and the opportunity to pursue Him today. I get so caught up in the unknown that I miss the known. One great application for that is to be faithful and obedient to pursue Him now despite the unknown! May we, as Christ followers, be a people that, as we actively pursue our faith, focus and live in the known and prepare in a way that honors the Lord with how we steward our time today. So if you know Christ, live and respond to that incredible relationship today!
Thankfully, I serve a God who fully knows me and loves me despite my battle with controlling the unknown. Throughout my life, God has constantly drawn me back to Him by challenging me to wake up and prepare myself for today so that I will be ready for His return! We have a choice every day to trust God with the unknown while living in the known or to choose our own path that leads to death. Which path will you choose to follow?
Discussion Questions
1. What are some unhealthy distractions you can eliminate that are preventing you from being ready for Jesus' return?
2. How are you preparing for Christ's return in your own life right now?
3. Who or what can you surround yourself with that will spur on your relationship with God in areas of uncertainty?
4. Have you personally identified your struggles and have a healthy battle plan in place that will help you further your relationship with Christ? Check out Watermark's faith-based recovery ministry called re:generation for help in that area.