“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.  Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”

Matthew 24:37-42

So many things happened on this 3rd day of Holy Week including one of Christ’s most famous teachings, the Olivet Discourse.  This was one of the last recorded public teaching sessions of Jesus as he stood atop the Mount of Olives and taught a great multitude.

Knowing His time was short, (He was only 2 days from His arrest,) we should listen carefully to what He chose to share with us.  The discourse covers several chapters in the Book of Matthew, and I encourage you to read through them for yourself.  See what the Spirit has for you in these sacred scriptures.

For me, I seem to be drawn to this particular passage.  We are so close to celebrating Easter Sunday, the Resurrection Day!!  Christians all over the world will sing and dance and speak of deliverance.  For me, Easter is more joyous than Christmas.

But do we ever sit and truly think about the “BIG DAY?”  That day when Jesus promises He will return for us?

Some scripture relates it to a great wedding feast: the Lamb and his bride – the church.  Can you imagine?  Sitting at work, washing your car, wandering lost inside Walmart? And all of a sudden trumpets begin to blow, a mighty wind and thunder begin to sound and you know – IT’S THE LORD!

He says there won’t be any doubt.  His angels will begin gathering the faithful from all corners of the earth.  He says we will see Him coming on the clouds with His army of angels.  I can only imagine the sight with music and colors, and singing, and celebration.  We can’t comprehend what that day will be like can we friends?

But amidst the chaos and the celebration, He says there will also be great fear and weeping and pleading.  And where is all this despair coming from?  Church folks.  That is right friends, us.  He says there will be a multitude of religious people calling out to Him, only to be told, “I am sorry, but I don’t know you.”  (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7&version=NLT)

I know this may be a downer, but consider why He chose this message friends.  Because He desperately wants us to get it while there is still time.  We don’t know when He is coming back.  But we are assured that He is, He said so.  So we have to be ready.  And what does that mean?

For me, it means living each day by giving my whole heart, soul, and mind to Him.  It means allowing Him to be Lord of my life and living obediently to what He commands.  It means staying in daily communication with Him through prayer and Bible study.  And it means accepting this wonderful gift of grace He has to offer instead of lying to myself and telling myself I am just fine on my own.  It means being a disciple, and not just a fan.

Jesus says there are many Christians who will be left behind because they lack a personal relationship with Him.  Be clear on this, these folks:

• Attend church
• Serve
• Give money
• Support missions

But they don’t have a relationship with Him.  And that will be all that matters on that fateful day.  Jesus cries out to us from the Mount of Olives friends: “Come to me now, while you still can.”

Please don’t let another day pass without reaching out to Him brothers and sisters.  If there is any doubt in your heart about where you stand with Him, talk to Him and receive that assurance that you are one of His beloved.  Now is the time, and He is overjoyed when you approach Him in faith.  That is what Easter is all about.

Grace to you my brothers and sisters.

King of Glory,

I pray to You now.  If there is anyone in my midst that doesn’t know You as Savior and Lord, please let today be the day.  Please unleash Your Holy Spirit upon us and help us to find our way to You.  Speak to us in ways that we can understand.   Help us now, while we still have the opportunity.  Let Your grace and mercy flow in this holiest of weeks.

In the Savior’s name I pray,

Amen

For further study, consider:

Matthew chapters 22 – 25:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22&version=NLT

Mark chapter 12:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12&version=NLT

John chaper 12:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+12&version=NLT