August 5, Matthew 24
An old friend of mine would usually respond to an inquiry as to whether or not he was ready by saying, “I’m like boiled ham—always ready.” Some army sergeant or football coach along
the way had impressed the saying on him so deeply that it was a permanent fixture in his vocabulary.
I enjoy a nice surprise as much as the next guy, but I admit I’m not a big fan of folks just dropping by to see me. I like to know when someone’s coming so we can put on some coffee and have the brownies ready. I want to be ready when the guests arrive.
Everyone who has grown up in a family or raised one of their own knows getting a family ready to go to church or out to eat or out the door for another day requires a great deal of
coordination and preparation, especially if there are less bathrooms than people in the house. Every student who’s faced some big exams in his academic career probably knows exactly how it feels to be ready (and not ready) for the test. Whether it’s opening a new business or trying to get away on a vacation, we know the value of getting ready.
When Jesus told the disciples such a catastrophic upheaval was coming that not one block of the temple would be left standing on another, they could not imagine anything less than the end of the world causing such
destruction. They wanted to know when it was all going to happen. Jesus warned them not to be deceived by charlatans and fakes who would brag about special knowledge, and told them to watch for certain things as warning signs. But he
plainly told them no one— not the angels, not even he as he spoke to them, knew when it would happen. So, they were supposed to get ready and stay that way. He assured them
his word would stand, even when the world they knew was passing away.
A smart homeowner would be ready for a thief who announced his intention to break into his house. A faithful servant is one who stays on
task while his master is away, not knowing when he might return, but realizing it could be at any time. So Jesus counseled his disciples to be
ready. Because his word is sure, we know he’s coming. We know we want to be ready when he does come. But since we don’t know and can’t know when that will be, the only sensible
plan is to be like old Boiled Ham— always ready.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide
for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—August 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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