Knowing the Time

The First Sunday of Advent

Scripture

Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5

Psalter: Psalm 122

Epistle: Romans 13:11-14

Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44

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Prayer

God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous deeds. Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

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Reflection

Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Romans 13:11-14).

Some people have little sense of time. They are always late or they are not conscious about the time they take up with others. In every church I served as a pastor, there was a problem with some church folk coming into the office during the week and taking way too much time talking with the secretary who had work to do. There certainly was nothing wrong with a little visiting and some chatting back and forth, but a few persons didn’t seem to be aware that there was work to be done and time was limited; and they overstayed there time rather often. It can be difficult working at a church where relationships are of central importance while being diligent about getting the necessary tasks done each week.

The Apostle Paul tells the church at Rome to be aware of the time for “salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.” Paul had no idea when Christ would return. He had a real expectation that it could happen in his lifetime. I think we need to be careful, however, about drawing the conclusion that he expected the imminent return of Christ and then later had to adjust his theology in light of the realization that was not going to be the case. Paul convictions about the Second Coming of Jesus were real to be sure, but he also seemed well aware that he might not live to see it (Philippians 1:23-24).

Just as Jesus instructs us in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Paul directs the Romans to take note of the time by being faithful disciples, to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” In other words, whether Christ returns while we live or whether we meet him after we are dead, we must make the most of the time because our days, one way or another, are short; and we make the most of time not by endless speculation on when Jesus might return, but by being about Jesus’ kingdom business in this world.

The season of Advent reminds us that all of life is a time of preparation. In this time, we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Jesus which took place two thousand years ago, and we are reminded that all of life is a preparation for Christ’s second coming to us in this life or in the next.

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. We must know the time.

PRAYER: Unexpected God, your advent alarms us. Wake us from drowsy worship, from the sleep that neglects love, and the sedative of misdirected frenzy. Awaken us now to your coming, and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.

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