The faithful Christian who is ready for the day of our Lord’s return is the one who is constantly preparing for it and always expecting it. Christ Jesus is clear. His return will be like a thief in the night. We will not be expecting it. Faith longs for Christ’s return and does not want to be caught unaware and left outside of the marriage feast. And so, while faith wants Christ’s return to be now, it also knows that there may yet be more of a wait. And if we must wait, we know that we will be surrounded by all kinds of temptations and trials. We know that our own sinful flesh is weak and seeks only ease and pleasure, not what is good. So faith prepares. Faith fills itself with the Word of God which lightens the deep darkness of this fallen world. Faith considers the great gift which has been given in Holy Baptism and the inheritance that has been promised. Faith satisfies its hunger with the true bread that comes down from heaven, the Body and Blood of Christ given and shed for the forgiveness of all our sins. By these things, even when our flesh betrays us and we fail to keep the watch, we are strengthened and preserved in the faith and are ready to meet the Bridegroom when He comes and then to enter with Him into the marriage feast of His kingdom which has no end. God grant that we may always remain watchful and prepared as we wait for His coming.
Pastor Ulmer