In the book, Because of Bethlehem, Max Lucado reminds us, “We live between the Advents.” We know the approximate date of Jesus’ birth, but as for the Second Coming, Jesus tells us, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 (NIV)
Of course, many of those who engage in eschatology (the study of end times) look at the signs of our times and believe that Jesus’ return is just around the corner. Their arguments notwithstanding, for any of us, the end time may be just beyond the next sunrise. Which leads to an important question, “What would you do today if you knew for certain that you would meet Jesus tomorrow?”
There are flippant answers, and there are consequential answers to that question. The flippant answers can be fun; let’s consider some of them first.
“If I knew I’d meet Jesus tomorrow, the politician might say, “That’s a recall I am a bit nervous about.”
“If he knew he would meet Jesus tomorrow, an over-eater might respond, I will have a large sheet cake, with one fork. I’ll deal with the weightier issues tomorrow.”
The game show host might shout, “Come on Down!”
If they knew they would meet Jesus tomorrow, some might say, as W.C. Fields reportedly said, when a friend caught him reading the Bible, “I’m looking for loopholes!”
The atheist might respond, “Jesus? Who is Jesus?”
The atheist’s response moves us from the flippant to the consequential. Who is Jesus? is the most important question you will ever be asked.
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?’” Mark 8:27-29a
Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” is a one-question, Pass-Fail exam. No loopholes. During Advent, we can prepare for the Second Advent by joyfully declaring, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Come, Lord Jesus – Flickr image by Tim Green
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