The return of Jesus: party or panic?

The return of Jesus – party or panic?

I recently heard a kid’s talk and a sermon on the return of Jesus. The Bible text was Matt 24 and the theme was ‘get ready’.

Both used metaphors and illustrations. One was of the Principal coming to your classroom and the other was of an exam.

The kid’s talk discussed whether party preparations, good deeds or reading your Bible and praying were the way to be ready for his return.

This made me think.  An exam and a Principal’s visit are both images of unwelcome events for which preparations are made with a perception of fear and a measure of threat.

Should it be that way? For those who live in defiance or denial or God, Jesus’ return is an unwelcome event and a threat of the highest order.

But what of those who live conscious of God, well-aware of their unworthiness of his company and who look to Jesus in faith as their saviour?

For people like this, Jesus’ return is a most welcome event. It’s what you have been waiting for and long for (eg Rev 22:20). It is Palm Sunday in the fullest, final and most welcome sense as the Son of David comes to his city and people (eg Matt 21:9-10). In short, it’s not a day to fear but a day for a party.

How do we get ready for such a day? It’s by living as faithful and wise servants who are always living such to please their master whenever he arrives (Matt 24:45-46). That might mean Bible reading and prayer. Or good deeds. It certainly means party preparations. But we need to be clear what kind of party that is.

If life is a party without God Jesus’ return is a panic day (Matt 24:38f). But if life is lived with God in all we do, his return is a party day to end all parties.