36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. – Matthew 24
Be ready. This message from Jesus is simple. This simple message is much harder to put into practice. Just four months ago I was returning from a long European vacation. I was refreshed and excited by the adventures of our travel. I was not ready for Covid-19.
In my defense, I do not believe anyone was truly ready for the life change the virus would bring. I feel no shame admitting that. My unpreparedness for the social effects of this virus has me thinking, “Am I ready for Jesus to return?” My initial reaction is “yes, of course.” Then again, several months ago I would have said I was prepared to stay at home alone for two months. We know now that none of us were prepared for that. What type of things would Jesus say if he saw our preparedness for his return?
Would he be proud of what we have built? Would he smile, laugh, or cry when he saw our priority list? This passage this morning in conjunction with our current context should jolt us awake. We may not have the time we thought we did. Jesus could return today. Are you ready for that?