By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek
Focal Passage: Mark 13:24-37
Have you ever noticed a child who has been promised something for their birthday or Christmas? How about when that child has been promised a trip somewhere? The anticipation is almost too much for the child and sometimes it is too much for the parent. “How many more days until (fill in the blank)?” “Are we there yet?” Have you ever seen a child who was disappointed because the promise wasn’t fulfilled? Maybe the cost was too much, the product sold out, or the weather for a trip didn’t cooperate. The promise that was made had to be broken.
Aren’t you glad Jesus is not like that? When He promises something, whatever He promised will take place. In John 4, He told a royal official his son would be healed, and the promise was kept. In John 11, Jesus promises Martha her brother would rise again — and he does. Jesus keeps His promises. In Mark 13 Jesus promises His disciples He would come again. Do you have the same anticipation and anxiousness for the promised second coming of Christ that a child has for the promised gift? Or, do you dread the time Jesus opens the eastern sky and calls His followers home? Is that one promise you hope He does not keep? If you are obedient to God and have a personal relationship with Christ, you should be eagerly watching for His promised return.
Chris Chambers
Skeptics point to the fact that He has not returned after 2,000 years. II Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord does not delay Hs promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance.”
I look at this as a flight that has a promised time to depart but delays a few minutes because there are passengers in the airport who were delayed getting to the gate, probably by the same airline. God does not want anyone to miss spending eternity with Him and if His return is delayed it is simply because there are still some who will come to Him.
If Christ promised to return on a certain date, how many last second shoppers would there be? We are promised each year that Christmas will come on Dec. 25. How many are shopping two or three days before, or even Christmas Eve?
That would be the same approach with the return of Christ. The day before, Christians and unbelievers alike would crowd now empty churches in a desperate attempt to make things right before His return.
Should we not live like every day is the promised day of His return? We are not promised tomorrow anyway. He has paid the price to keep His promise with His blood and there is nothing to keep Him from fulfilling the promise He made. Do you believe He will keep His promise? Do you live like you believe? Are you sharing the gospel like you believe Christ keeps His promises? B&R
