Modern Christians tend to focus on Jesus’ entry into the world as a baby more than they do His promise to return as King. While Christmas is truly worth celebrating and a great time to share His message, Jesus himself calls us to ensure that we are ‘ready’ for His return. Given how adamant He is, it’s worth considering, “Exactly how do I get ‘ready’?” Is there a course to take or a book to read?

If we read around Matthew 24 and 25 there are a few clues. Firstly, we are to be “awake” and “ready” for Him to return at any time, given that no one knows the day or hour to expect him.

Secondly, this state of readiness is characterised by action, not idleness. In Matthew 24 and 25 this action seems to be a matter of fulfilling the roles and tasks that God has called us to do in our own lives and to faithfully become the kinds of people that mirror the life and love of Jesus.

In a very simple way, this is like a parent asking their children to clean their room at the end of each day. “OK Guys, I’m going to cook dinner and when I come back I want everything to be perfectly in order!” Anyone who has made that request knows that the issue isn’t simply that they are unlikely to do their jobs but are most likely to either fight or get distracted!

Like children, we need a reminder to “get your jobs done and stop mucking around!” We are easily distracted from not just our calling in life but also our identity - followers of Jesus called to live lives marked by love! So let’s be “ready” for Jesus’ return by doing the things and being the people that He has called us to!

What has God called you to do? How can you more clearly reflect his heart?

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Matt 24:42-44
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.