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Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. …9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 9-11

Advent is a season that tends to call us to look in the rearview mirror at the manger and the birth of Jesus; the first “Adventus” or coming of Christ.  The readings at the beginning of Advent however remind us that we’re not just called to look back – but to look ahead to Jesus’ second “coming,” not in meekness like a child, but in judgment.

Now, I’m not one to spend much time focusing on the details surrounding the second coming of Christ.  One reason is that biblical details on the subject are nebulous and a matter of great debate.   The other reason I don’t focus on the details of the second coming is captured in the passage above from today’s readings.  It’s because, “God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation.” We who trust in Jesus Christ have nothing to fear in his second coming.  We don’t have to worry about what it will be like. We don’t have to worry if we’ll be early or late for his arrival.   He’s coming for us… we’re not going to him.  All we have to do is trust; and live lives that bear out that trust.  The rest will work itself out.

So – Advent is not just a time to look backward – at Jesus’ first coming. It’s also a time to look forward to the promise that he will come again. It’s a reminder that as Christians we have something to “look forward” to with excited anticipation.

Prayer:  God:  Help us to live and speak today as those who excitedly expect you to come to take us home at any moment.  Amen.

11/26 Readings from the One Year Bible Online

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

That opening line might be upsetting.  “The end of the world is coming soon!”  Relax.  That was written close to 2000 years ago by a man who believed it was true.  Was it?  Obviously not if your definition of “soon” is less than 2000 years, but don’t blame Peter for being a little off the mark when it came to dating the 2nd coming of Christ.  After all, he had heard Jesus say…

John 14:1-3  “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.  2 There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly.  3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Peter was getting “long in the tooth.”  Time was running out.  It seems as if he believed Jesus’ promise meant Jesus would return, literally, to physically take Peter and the others to that place Jesus had prepared for them.  That being the case, as Peter looked at his aging reflection he must have thought, “Jesus sure is waiting until the 11th hour!  His promised return (and the end of the world that will accompany his return) must be right around the corner!”

Being that Peter was expecting Jesus to return in Judgment at any moment, he expressed his concern that his readers be prepared for the imminent arrival.  “Be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.  Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins!” In other words, keep your spiritual houses in order.  You don’t want Jesus showing up to find you up to your eyeballs in sin!  Love your neighbor with all you’ve got, because love is like a rug under which you can sweep your dirt, and with Jesus so close to knocking on the door, it’s time to get sweeping!

Perhaps the recipients of Peter’s letter were getting a little lax in their attention to detail when it came to keeping their spiritual houses in order.  After all, they had been waiting for Jesus’ imminent return for a long time – a return that seemed less and less “imminent” by the day.  Like children who’ve been waiting way too long for the end of a sermon, they were beginning to get fidgety and misbehave.  Peter’s word to them was to stay ready… to be prepared… because the end was coming soon!

So what is Peter saying to us today?  He’s long since died without Jesus returning in his lifetime.  In fact, 2000 years have passed, and still no return.  Should we keep the light on?  Should we continue to sweep our dirty sins under the rug of love expecting to hear the doorbell, or should we just assume Jesus is not coming, hang up our brooms, and wallow in sinful self-indulgence?

The way I see it, though Jesus didn’t come for Peter, Peter went to be with Jesus, and we will, too.  When that happens, will Jesus care if we had our spiritual houses in order?  Will he care if we were “earnest and disciplined in our prayers?” Will it matter if we “showed deep love for one another?” You bet it will.  Love is the validation of faith, and faith is the key to eternal life.  So don’t wallow in filthy behavior assuming you won’t see Jesus today, because you never know!

Prayer:  God:  Thank you for Peter and those who follow in his footsteps who call us to keep ourselves ready to meet the Lord face to face.  Help us to stay diligent in our faith and love for others that we might be proud to receive him should he show up at our door unexpectedly!  Amen.