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‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ (Mark 13:24-37)
This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth and for Christ's return. Both are equally important for the Christian believer. We are thankful that God sent Jesus to the world to do and share all He did, but we should also be thankful that God has not forgotten us and promised to return for us. This gospel for His return is important for it contains much we should know and much we should share.
We will never know the exact day nor hour of Jesus' return, but we will know that Jesus is near. Jesus' comments to the disciples always had them wondering and worried about His leaving and His coming back. He shares signs that they and we might see, and I should point out many of these visible signs have stirred many a generation when they occurred. Those who saw the darkening of the sun or the showers of falling stars wondered if Jesus was indeed coming then, but they should have rejoiced in knowing that Jesus was near. The main message we should receive and share come in the last two words of this passage: Keep awake, which I take to mean, be ready. In one of the holiday movies we watched during this Thanksgiving, the star of the movie keep her passport in her coat, because she said, "You never know."
There is much to do, and much to share; Jesus warns for us to stay busy, but ready as well. This follows the strong message of Christ the King: Feed the hungry, quench the thirst of the thirsty, visit the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, and welcome the stranger; all part of what keeps us ready and keeps Christ ever before us and those we seek to help.
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for Your love. We want to be ready, awake, and still working. Your Word shares that which we should do, and we seek to do it. Grant us those opportunities in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Do something to bless someone in Jesus' name today.
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Update: Thank you so much for your prayers. I was able to preach at both services and I again ask for your prayers for this coming Sunday when I will preach three services in San Antonio at Windcrest UMC. I am the coach and mentor of the pastor there and God has been good to us during these months. Facing a huge debt in apportionments payment, we have reduced the amount from $98,000 to $40,000, and just a little over a month to do it in. Pray that God's Spirit move among that church on Sunday and that God share with me the words that will inspire, encourage and bring victory to Jesus. Blessings to you all! E.V.
