Watching and Waiting

Watching and Waiting

Matthew 24:36–44

It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is just days away. Where does the time go? I mean... when we were kids it seemed like Christmas would never get here! And now... Hobby Lobby has Christmas decorations for sell in July. We’re in perpetual Christmas! It use to feel like it would never get here, and now it never ends!

And that’s why we need Advent. We need time to prepare ourselves for... time for reflection on God’s Word... time for repentance and prayer... in the hope that we’ll keep a Holy Christmas; a Christmas that reflects the ways of Christ more than the ways of this life, and this world.

Of course, this Advent Season does not begin with angels and shepherds. It begins in the dark—with warnings, urgency, and a call to watchfulness. Advent is not only a time to consider the First Coming of Jesus; it is also a time to reflect on His second coming. We not only look back in celebration... we look forward in anticipation. Knowing that Christ has come, and that Christ has promised to come again.

Jesus’ words in our lesson are foundational to our faith: reminding us that God alone knows the date and time of Christ’s return. God alone is the Sovereign of history; and God alone brings His promises to fulfillment.

We’re not called, as followers of Christ, to predict. We’re called to prepare.

Jesus said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

These words are a reminder that God’s sovereignty is in Himself, alone. He does not share His throne with us. As John Calvin wrote, “It is not for us to inquire into things that the Lord has willed to be hidden.” There are things that are God’s purview and God’s alone.

So, as followers of Christ, we do not look to signs, dates, codes, or conspiracies. Those are things of the world... they’re opposed to God’s Word. They sell a lot of books... and pack a lot of churches... no doubt

But... Christ tells us plainly: You cannot know.

Yet He also tells us: You must be ready.

This is Advent.

No speculation. No prediction.

Only submission to God’s authority (sovereignty).

Only preparation for the coming Day of the Lord.

Of course, Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah: people were eating, drinking, celebrating... marriages were taking place! Life seemed... normal.

And then: the flood. Judgment. The issue was never the activities in-and-of themselves—they are good gifts of creation, given by the God of creation; to be enjoyed and used for His honor and glory.

The issue, here, was spiritual indifference.

Biblical faith (The Reformed tradition) has always insisted that indifference is one of the great enemies of the Christian life.

We drift believers, not so much by willful rebellion (alone), but most often, we drift, by distraction.

Advent reminds us that normal life—work, relationships, routines—can lull us into spiritual sleep, or apathy.

If we’re NOT careful... we may find ourselves so busy that we forget to “be still and know... God.”

Our houses and churches may be decorated to perfection... yet, if we’re not intentional, we may miss the point of our preparation.

If Advent is about anything... anything at all... it’s about awakening us from our slumber.

The Advent season should remind us that Christ will return... not to a world expecting Him... but to a world surprised... caught off guard.

Two men in a field.

Two women at a millstone.

Side by side.

Outwardly identical. Outwardly productive.

Inwardly separated. Inwardly divided.

(Not unlike wheat and tares).

The return of Christ - His Second Coming - will reveal what’s already true: there are those who belong to Jesus, and those who do not.

As the Redeemed, you and I are blessed to live our Redemption. God has chosen us, and called us... and the life we live should reflect His mercy in Christ. He hasn’t called us to complacency and apathy... He called us to be His. And the evidence, the fruit, of God’s grace, is evidenced (it’s revealed) in ordinary living. Day in and day out... “eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” - our Redemption is not earned by watchfulness, RATHER our Redemption is proven by watchfulness. Those whom Christ calls and keeps will be those who watch and wait.

Advent reminds us that you and I have been called to live as a people set apart—not in a “holier than thou” kinda way (not in self-righteousness)... but as a people who’ve been set apart by grace... undeserved, unmerited, unimaginable grace. A people who are so grateful... so humbled... so transformed by God’s mercy in Christ... that we can’t help watching and waiting for our Redeemer.

“Therefore, stay awake… For the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Watchfulness, in the Biblical sense, has nothing to do with anxiety and anxiousness. Watching and waiting is about faithfulness.

It’s about living each day as if Christ’s return is imminent.

*While striving to honor Christ... walking in repentance rather than presumption.

*as we Serve our neighbors in the name of Christ... never with self-interest...

*All while being anchored in our ASSURANCE in Christ, with a conviction that the things of this world are fleeting.

One of the great confessions of the Christian Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us (Q&A 1), “I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.”

If we belong to Him, we watch for Him... we’re alert, and awake in the reality that we belong to Christ.

That means, we’re called to live with urgency, making the most of today.

Christ is coming. That’s certain.

When? I don’t know.

I do know this... our calling is not fear! Our calling is faithfulness.

Turn from apathy, reject indifference.

Advent is a season of repentance.

Confess the places where your heart has grown cold towards Christ.

Practice ordinary obedience... daily faithfulness.

And, always rest in the assurance of Christ’s return.

Advent may begin with dark warnings... because the world is still dark.

But the promise stands:

The King who came in humility will return in glory.

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

May this season awaken us to our calling.

May it stir us longing for Christ, as we watch and wait.

May it prepare us for Christmas.

Amen.