JESUS: THE SEQUEL
DAY 97: As far as stories go, Easter has to be the climax of the Jesus epic. From humble infant to lauded teacher, to unlikely miracle worker, to rejected Messiah, to forsaken Son - it all finds its fulfillment in the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. What a way to end a remarkable story. Or is it the end? Just as I am enjoying the glow of a moving and jubilant Easter celebration, I am reminded in my daily reading tonight that Jesus' story has a sequel.
Jesus Himself, with the cross looming large before Him, attempts to get His followers to look even further down the road - once He accomplishes His purpose on the cross and beyond the grave, another great story would unfold. He urged them to be ready!
Luke 12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36
like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding
banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the
door for him. 37
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching
when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will
have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even
if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour
the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Soon enough His followers would witness the risen Jesus leaving this earth and ascending to Heaven to be at the right hand of His Father. It would be easy for them to believe that with His departure the story was over. Simply put, Jesus conquered sin and death for them and the endless cycle of generations to come. Was that what life for mankind would be like after Jesus left, just one generation cycling after another for all eternity?
Jesus, even before completing His story of Redemption, pointed to the rest of the story.
The story of Christ on earth will have a sequel. He came. He died. He rose. He ascended. Now, coming soon to a generation near you: JESUS WILL COME AGAIN.
More than just "nice to know" this reality, according to Jesus ought to change the way I live. I don't get the luxury of just basking in His resurrection; I should be busy with a life preparing for His return - starting with being watchful!
The resurrection didn't just save me from my sin; it saved me for His service. His expectations are high.
Luke 12:48 (Jesus explained), When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Today, I can anticipate that there will be a sequel, and it could be released AT ANY TIME. Jesus is coming back! Until then, though, we can ask God to help us watch, wait and serve as if it will be tomorrow!
Day 97 of 365
Deuteronomy 32:28-52
Luke 12:35-59
Psalm 78:56-64
Proverbs 12:24
Jesus Himself, with the cross looming large before Him, attempts to get His followers to look even further down the road - once He accomplishes His purpose on the cross and beyond the grave, another great story would unfold. He urged them to be ready!
Luke 12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36
like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding
banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the
door for him. 37
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching
when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will
have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even
if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour
the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”Soon enough His followers would witness the risen Jesus leaving this earth and ascending to Heaven to be at the right hand of His Father. It would be easy for them to believe that with His departure the story was over. Simply put, Jesus conquered sin and death for them and the endless cycle of generations to come. Was that what life for mankind would be like after Jesus left, just one generation cycling after another for all eternity?
Jesus, even before completing His story of Redemption, pointed to the rest of the story.
"the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.."
The story of Christ on earth will have a sequel. He came. He died. He rose. He ascended. Now, coming soon to a generation near you: JESUS WILL COME AGAIN.
More than just "nice to know" this reality, according to Jesus ought to change the way I live. I don't get the luxury of just basking in His resurrection; I should be busy with a life preparing for His return - starting with being watchful!
The more I watch, the more I will expect to see Him;
the more I expect to see Him,
the more urgently I will strive to live as He commanded:
dressed for service and ready!
The resurrection didn't just save me from my sin; it saved me for His service. His expectations are high.
Luke 12:48 (Jesus explained), When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.
Today, I can anticipate that there will be a sequel, and it could be released AT ANY TIME. Jesus is coming back! Until then, though, we can ask God to help us watch, wait and serve as if it will be tomorrow!
Day 97 of 365
Deuteronomy 32:28-52
Luke 12:35-59
Psalm 78:56-64
Proverbs 12:24
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