Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 24:36-44 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Verse 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, Verse 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Verse 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Verse 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Verse 43But understand this: if the owner 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. Verse 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Devotion
“When will the world end?” That is a question often directed to parents by children. Pastors hear it during confirmation classes. Adults ask it in their own hearts and minds too.
Some claim to know when the world will end. There have always been predictors and prognosticators of the future, some of them even preachers of fame.
How comforting it is to hear Jesus remind us in Matthew 24:36 that only God knows such things about the future. One danger is claiming to know too much; some people are arrogant and puffed up with knowledge. Again and again, Jesus brings such people back down to earth. This is nowhere more true than in this passage.
The thrust of this Word is to invite us to live trusting in God. It is all we can do because the mystery of the future is in God’s hands. And, this should be good news!
Prayer
Gracious God, forgive us when we pretend to know too much. Forgive us for wanting to know too much. Help us to live in simple trust that because you hold the future, you also hold us in your grace.