“Yes,” said the carpenter, “I'll build you a house.” But the next day he slid off a roof and broke his leg. He didn't build the house that he said he would. His words passed away; he couldn't keep them.
“Yes,” said the salesman, “I'll sell you a car, and it won't give you any trouble.” But a few months later the car gave the man a whole lot of trouble. The salesman's word wasn't good either.
Many peoples' words don't come true; many of our words pass away, too, often through no fault of our own. We just can't keep them. But it's different with the Lord Jesus. He said, “My words will never pass away” (Mt.24:35). No matter what happens, Jesus' words will always come true; and He will keep His promises.
When He says, “I will forgive you your sins,” you can depend on it; He will keep His word. When He says, “I am always with you,” you can depend on it; it's really true. And when He says, “I will come back,” you can depend on it; He will return – His word will not pass away. Here, the question is not “if”; the question is “when.” Since He will keep His word, the greater question then becomes, “Are we ready for it?”
What if a person isn't ready or doesn't believe Jesus' words? What will it be like for them? Boy, will they be surprised – and not in a good way. Jesus said that when He was standing before the high priest Caiaphas.
Caiaphas did not like Jesus. In fact, Caiaphas wanted him dead. He asked Jesus, “Are you the Savior whom God promised to send?” Jesus replied, “Yes, I am. Someday you will see me coming in the clouds of heaven.” When he heard that, Caiaphas was so angry that he sent Jesus to the Roman governor to have Him killed.
Caiaphas didn't believe, and one day he will be surprised. Lots of people don't believe Jesus' words. They too will be surprised, for His words never pass away without taking place.
What about you? Will you be surprised when it happens? What should you do to keep from being surprised? That's where our text comes in. Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour….Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come….Watch!”
I. Keep Watching.
That's a call to be alert and watchful, lest you be caught by surprise, because being caught by surprise could be disastrous.
Surprise! Do you like surprises? It all depends on what kind of a surprise it is, doesn't it? A letter, a card, or a phone call from a friend whom you haven't heard from in years can be a surprise – a good one. On the other hand if a doctor tells you that your physical turned up some type of a growth on your lung, that kind of a surprise would come as a gut-wrenching shock. Life can be filled with surprises, filled with the unexpected - some good; some that will catch you completely off-guard.
One of the most unexpected surprises that will come your way will be the day that ushers in Jesus' second advent. God said if you are still here, it will come when you least expect it (Mt.24:44). When you will least expect it; not just others, but you as a follower of Christ. Will it catch you off guard? Will it be a good surprise, or a bad one?
First of all, it shouldn't be any surprise to you at all that Jesus is returning. Everyone ought to expect it! How often didn't He tell us about it when He said things like, “The Son of Man will come in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate the people one from another” (Mt.25:31f). The fact that He is coming shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, least of all us.
The surprise doesn't lie in the fact that He is coming; the surprise lies in the timing. He says you do not know when that time will come. So, dear friend, expect the unexpected and keep watch.
Have you been keeping watch lately? How did you keep watch on Thanksgiving Day? How about last night? What about today? This keeping watch is not something that we readily carry out on our own. Maybe that's the reason He gave the extra warning about the angels not knowing the time, nor even Him as the Son of Man. Figure that one out. How could Jesus not know when He's coming back?
I guess we could best understand that as He did not know according to His human nature. But why would He tell us such things? Maybe as a point of concern to us, for if those who are closest to God have no idea when the Lord Jesus is coming back and it catches them off guard, shouldn't we be all the more watchful for His coming? Keeping watch is not something we readily carry out on our own.
In our text Jesus compares such inattentiveness on our part to that of a soldier falling asleep during his guard watch. For a soldier to do that puts himself and those around him in danger. Likewise, to fall asleep at our posts as Christians places souls at risk. So Jesus said, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”
You see, our heavenly Father has taken great care to hide this secret of the time of Christ's second coming from us. If I knew the exact day on which He was coming, my sinful flesh within me would convince me to do something that isn't watchful.
For example, taking into account that today is Sunday, I might think to myself something like, “Why bother getting up and going to church today? Is it really necessary right now?” Or I would indulge my flesh in other sinful acts, thinking that I have plenty of time later on to repent. And with such reasoning I would horribly abuse and misuse the knowledge, becoming complacent and inattentive in my spiritual life. In the words of our text, I would fall asleep at the door during my watch.
And perhaps one of the greatest temptations to fall asleep comes at this time of the year – oddly enough – when we celebrate Jesus' first coming. The whole world is getting ready for the celebration of Christmas, but are they getting ready for Christ's return? Funny how that works. Maybe that's why this text comes back again to be considered by us Christians just before Christmas. God is urging us not to fall into the trap set by the world. It endorses a flurry of activities, but encourages a passing glance at the manger at best. Cards and cookies and gift giving may have their proper place, but only in the background of our celebrating the Savior's birth. They must never be in the forefront.
Stay alert! God calls. Look into the manger. See there not just the face of a baby, but behold the face of your Lord Jesus who returns in judgment at the time you least expect it. And more, see in Him the one who makes you right with God through His life and death for your sin. That's what I should do to keep watch.
II. Keep working.
Again, to highlight that Jesus told a little parable. It's the story of a man who left home on a long trip. Before leaving he got everyone in the household together for their final instructions. Each had a job to do while he was gone. Then he went away.
This one was to clean; that one was to cook; another was to take care of the stables; and so on, and so on. Each had a job that he left them with.
Now, what's the temptation that comes to people when the one in charge leaves? Isn't the temptation to goof off? That could be disastrous for the one not carrying out his job. Think of how angry the owner would be if he returned to find that the jobs were taken for granted and the work not carried out?
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His followers on earth the job of overseeing the spread of the Gospel. “Be my witnesses to the world,” He said. And then He left. Have we each been about our work while He is gone? What should I do? “ Keep working, he says , knowing that when I return you will receive the best gift of all – me, Your Savior, and a place with me above.” That's His promise to those who rest their time in eternity on Him. And His words never pass away. God grant it in our lives for Jesus' sake. Amen.