The Best Way to Be Prepared for Jesus

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So much has been written about the end times . . . even people who deny Jesus talk about the world coming to an end.

I love that Jesus didn’t want His followers to be uninformed; so this week leading up to His suffering, death, and resurrection, He paused to talk about near future and far future events.

[Jesus] disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”

Matthew 24:3–6, 10–12

His words were intended to prepare disciples of every generation that we might all be focused on Him watch for “the day your Lord is coming.” (v. 42)

My friend, Louise, loved Jesus and she loved learning all she could about His Word, His promises, and His return. Her eyes sparkled every time she talked about Him.

And although we didn’t believe exactly the same things about what we could anticipate in the season preceding Jesus arrival on earth. We did agree about the most important thing.

We all need to be prepared for Jesus! We need to watch and pray!

And being prepared means keeping our hearts and minds focused on Jesus. It means loving the Lord, our God, with all our hearts, minds, soul, and strength. It means loving others in ways that show them His life-changing grace, mercy, and love. It means sharing the hope only He can give.

Jesus said…

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. People were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings. They didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came. So you, too, must keep watch!  (Paraphrase Matthew 24:37–39, 42a

So today, let’s pray and ask Jesus to fill us with His Spirit and help us to be focused on Him and prepared for Him to come and take us home.

The Best Way to Be Prepared for Jesus

Lord Jesus, Thank you for promising me an eternal future with You in heaven. Thank you for willingly sacrificing yourself for me that I might know the debt of my sin has been paid in full.

Please keep me focused on You, Lord. Keep me faithful to reading Your Word and spending time with You in prayer. When false teachers tickle our ears with tempting teachings, please fill me with Your Spirit and remind me of Your Word and promises. Please give me Your peace when my world is full of chaos and confusion. Give me courage and strength in a day of persecution and betrayal.

I love You, Lord. And I wait with hope to see you “appear in the heavens, coming on the clouds with power and great glory to gather Your chosen ones from all over the world.” (Matthew 24:30–31) Amen.

Friend, the enemy uses so many things trying to take our focus off Jesus. He wants to divide us and distract with different beliefs about the end times. But with the Spirit’s help we can prayerfully watch with faith and hope.

We can be prepared for Jesus!

On today’s note write:

Watch and pray with faith and hope.

Take a few minutes to read all of Matthew 24 to learn more of the things Jesus said about His glorious return.

May God bless you today with faith, hope, and love.

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