Let's Get Busy for the Kingdom of God

The good thing about living in a place like Western PA - where we get a good, solid 7 days of sunshine per season - is that you don’t get to see the dust that accumulates all around your house very often. Especially in the winter, the layers of dust become invisible to the untrained eye in the midst of the grayness of the days. But then, one day…out of the blue, completely unexpectedly, the sun decides to show its glorious face and…yes, the dust becomes visible again. 

This “phenomenon” made me think of the words of our Lord Jesus to His disciples when, while hanging out at the Mount of Olives they asked Him about what signs would announce the end of times. In the comfort of a familiar and safe place, Jesus told them about the “beginning of birth pains” that will signal the end. Chapter 24 of the Gospel of Matthew records our Savior’s words of revelation. And the picture that Jesus painted was not a pretty one. He told his disciples how they (we) would recognize the season that’d user the end, but He also told them very clearly how no one really knows the exact moment when it’ll happen.

 “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

Then, Jesus proceeded to masterfully make His point as He said:

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24: 41-44

By saying this, Jesus revealed not only the events that we would have no control over, but most importantly, He told us, by telling His disciples, about the things that we could actually do. And it was simple. He told them as He tells us today, “be prepared.” You don’t know when I’m coming back, but as surely as God lives, I will be back and you better be ready!

He illustrates the horrible consequences that those who are not diligently and vigilantly awaiting the Master’s return will suffer. The parables of our Lord Jesus clearly declare the importance of living a life of obedience, following His precepts and doing what is right while we wait for His return. He tells us to keep our lights shinning, produce fruit and care for our brothers and sisters so, even though we don’t know the hour, when He comes back we may be found working for His Kingdom.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13

On that unknown day, the Lord’s entrance will be like that unexpected ray of sunshine in a winter day. He will burst through the clouds regardless of how thick and gray they may seem. He will cut through them and light will expose the hidden compartments of our souls. The layers of dust that we neglected to clean would be visible and would cover us with shame.
The good news is that even the thickest sin is dusted off and washed away by the blood of the Lamb. The unrighteousness of our total depravity dissipated the day God chose us as His adopted children and inputted the righteousness of Christ in us as we received the salvation that only His perfect sacrifice is capable of offering. With each nail in His hands and feet, Jesus took our sin. With each drop of His blood, we were made clean.

I don’t want gray days keeping me from doing what I am commanded to do. I don’t want my circumstances to determine my actions. I want to stay in vigilance. I want to be watchful. I want the light of His advent to shine on me and find me unashamed. I want Him to find me busy about His work when the time comes for His return.

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24: 27

P.S.:  perhaps, part of that work for the Kingdom also includes seriously cleaning, dusting and de-cluttering my house ; )