Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Redemption of all creation. Three Day Lent
St. Matthew 24: 36-46V.44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
The scripture portion (Matt 24: 36-46) that we are meditating upon today is titled: “The Day and Hour Unknown”. Interesting title, isn’t it?
We all travel, and when we travel, we know the date and time of travel, isn’t it? How about birth and death? In most cases, we have some idea of the hour of birth and day of birth but the day and hour of death are Unknown, isn’t it? Scripture prophesied the second coming of Jesus but “The Day and Hour Unknown”.
V.36 reminds us “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” So, we are meditating on a topic that not even Jesus, the Son, knows. Father the creator, Son the redeemer, and Holy Spirit the sanctifier; the trinity in unison recognize that a second coming is required. Scripture also reminds us of the judgment during the second coming of “Son of Man” V.40-41 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” So, scripture forewarns impending judgment and ensuing chaos. Where do you want to be? With the Lord in rapture or among the left-out ones in gnashing, sorrow, and tears? Sure, we want to be with Jesus in his second coming, but the problem is readiness for the Unknown time and duration. This unpredictable situation is explained to us using an example, V.43 “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” This verse is asking us to reflect and encourages us to be "Semper Paratus" or always ready.
This brings to us two attributes that are expected from all of us who are awaiting the second coming of Jesus, the “Son of Man” - Watchfulness and Faithfulness. Like a soldier, athlete, or farmer who is expected to be watchful and faithful, we too are expected to be always watchful and faithful. We all know the parable of 10 brides who went to receive the bridegroom, only five were able to join the banquet because they were watchful and faithful even when they did not know the time of arrival of the bridegroom. Among which five do we want to be, the wise five or the foolish five? Jesus’ second coming is to conclude the act of redemption that the Father started by sending the Son to this world, which is being continued by the Holy Spirit to facilitate non-stop preparation, watchfulness, and faithfulness. This is the only way to be among the redeemed during His second coming.
We are now in the Three-Day Lent (“Nineveh lent”). The three-day lent, or Nineveh lent (named after the 3 days Jonah spent in the whale’s stomach), begins 21 days before the start of Great Lent. Lent is a time to reflect, repent, and reform at a personal level and as a Church. The essence of fasting that coincides with lent is to clean, clear, and cleanse, the senses to have an inner calm and be in harmony with the creator and fellow creations.
Matthew 6:16 starts like this "When you fast, …." The Scripture is clear. It is not saying "If you fast…". This means, as part of our ongoing preparations to claim righteousness through Jesus, the act of cleaning, clearing, and cleansing is expected to calm the senses to filter noises and tune to the calling of Jesus the redeemer all the time.
We all travel, and when we travel, we know the date and time of travel, isn’t it? How about birth and death? In most cases, we have some idea of the hour of birth and day of birth but the day and hour of death are Unknown, isn’t it? Scripture prophesied the second coming of Jesus but “The Day and Hour Unknown”.
V.36 reminds us “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” So, we are meditating on a topic that not even Jesus, the Son, knows. Father the creator, Son the redeemer, and Holy Spirit the sanctifier; the trinity in unison recognize that a second coming is required. Scripture also reminds us of the judgment during the second coming of “Son of Man” V.40-41 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” So, scripture forewarns impending judgment and ensuing chaos. Where do you want to be? With the Lord in rapture or among the left-out ones in gnashing, sorrow, and tears? Sure, we want to be with Jesus in his second coming, but the problem is readiness for the Unknown time and duration. This unpredictable situation is explained to us using an example, V.43 “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” This verse is asking us to reflect and encourages us to be "Semper Paratus" or always ready.
This brings to us two attributes that are expected from all of us who are awaiting the second coming of Jesus, the “Son of Man” - Watchfulness and Faithfulness. Like a soldier, athlete, or farmer who is expected to be watchful and faithful, we too are expected to be always watchful and faithful. We all know the parable of 10 brides who went to receive the bridegroom, only five were able to join the banquet because they were watchful and faithful even when they did not know the time of arrival of the bridegroom. Among which five do we want to be, the wise five or the foolish five? Jesus’ second coming is to conclude the act of redemption that the Father started by sending the Son to this world, which is being continued by the Holy Spirit to facilitate non-stop preparation, watchfulness, and faithfulness. This is the only way to be among the redeemed during His second coming.
We are now in the Three-Day Lent (“Nineveh lent”). The three-day lent, or Nineveh lent (named after the 3 days Jonah spent in the whale’s stomach), begins 21 days before the start of Great Lent. Lent is a time to reflect, repent, and reform at a personal level and as a Church. The essence of fasting that coincides with lent is to clean, clear, and cleanse, the senses to have an inner calm and be in harmony with the creator and fellow creations.
Matthew 6:16 starts like this "When you fast, …." The Scripture is clear. It is not saying "If you fast…". This means, as part of our ongoing preparations to claim righteousness through Jesus, the act of cleaning, clearing, and cleansing is expected to calm the senses to filter noises and tune to the calling of Jesus the redeemer all the time.
Prayer
Father God, allow us to prepare and make us worthy to be counted among the redeemed during your second coming characterized by “The Day and Hour Unknown”. Amen.
Monish K. John
The Chicago Mar Thoma Church, IL
The Chicago Mar Thoma Church, IL