Matthew 24:42 “Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

The setting for this verse is that Jesus is with his disciples on the Mount of Olives after leaving the Temple and the disciples have asked him questions about signs of the Final Coming and the end times. Jesus’ prophetic answer in this chapter can definitely provoke a tone of terror; in my childhood this verse was used more as a threat to suggest that lapses in behavior would result in being left out of the Kingdom, like the current TV ads about RSV that, in a flash, equate negligence to sudden flatlining. “Keep awake” encourages faithfulness and discipline, but with an eye toward fuller joy as opposed to punishment.

There are many life events that are more rewarding if we faithfully prepare for them along the way—the birth of children, retirement, musical performances. Even facing death, having lived a faithful and disciplined life, one might experience joy and peace about one’s journey rather than regret. That’s what I believe is the focus of this verse.

The Final Coming of Jesus is an event to be gloriously anticipated. How do we prepare ourselves to be most fully alert with eagerness for that day? In this anticipation we are encouraged to keep spiritually awake to the things of God, so that we can tend to that which we are called to do and be. There are so many possibilities for distraction from this—politics, money, possessions, addictions. But the heart of our call is about peace, service and worship, and, as Bishop Rickel used to say, “Keeping the main thing the main thing.” When an anticipated new child is born in our midst, we want that child to find us prepared to joyously receive and share in that new life. That’s a full blessing for us. Do we want Christ to find us equally ready to receive His coming?

While we may not know the final day our Lord will come, there’s no need to be caught unaware, because we have lived intentionally, welcoming and searching for it. Indeed, we strive to practice this watchfulness with hope and excitement every day as we await the many ways Christ comes to us in our lives. Our intentional discipleship, focused on being the one God has called us to be, finds us prepared at the Final Coming, as we are awake, practiced and without the clutter of regret, able to fully receive with joy and peace the Christ who has come to us. Do not let your hearts be troubled; be prepared with a faithful and open stance to receive the Christ who comes and is coming.

Sharon Grabner