“Jesus is coming soon, look busy.” I remember seeing this bumper sticker growing up and though it was hilarious. Jesus’ return is mentioned 318 times in the 260 chapters of the NT. Statistically, 1/25 verses mention it. It’s kind of a big deal. And yet so often our lives don’t show it. See, when you know something that will change your life is coming, you prepare yourself…you study like crazy for exams, at graduation you look for places to live and try to find a job, interviewing for a job you dress up, maybe shower for the first time in a while; having a child: you babyproof the house, you buy all the extremely overpriced stuff you don’t really need, you write their name on the wall even though they’ll be out of the room before they can read it…when you know something life-changing is about to happen, you prepare yourself for the moment it will come and wait in anticipation…unless you don’t believe it's coming.

And that’s why I hope we can agree we don’t believe Jesus is coming back any time soon. I mean, it’s been over 2k years! He's like a FedEx package out for delivery, but it feels like He's lost. And some of us are ready to get a refund on our faith!

But Jesus’ exhortation this morning is to hold onto faith! Hold onto the promises of Jesus, that he has left to make a place for you and that he is coming again! Hold on, and stay ready! Because when you’re confident in Christ’s return, you wait watchfully.

Sunday, August 4th

(Read the verses below and engage with the questions/notes that follow.)

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The extended passage which begins at vs. 22 is addressed to the "disciples". At least there is no indication that the recipients are are a different crowd. There are however any number of references in the passage 35-48 that give a different picture- not the least of which is Peter's question in vs. 41.

1. Vs. 35 - Gird your loins and keep your lamps burning are two metaphors that the average person of Jesus' would readily know. Describe the two pictures and what they involved physically and the spiritual reality they point to.

2. vs. 36-38 Jesus extends the metaphor to another well known picture of the master coming at an unknown hour and the the servants being ready for his coming- or not! Is this speaking of Jesus' 2nd coming or to something more contemporary? Or to both? Explain your answers.

3. "Who you talkin to" Peter wants to know. "For us or for all?" Does Jesus answer the question? How do you answer it?

4. What does the change of metaphor in vs. 38-40 emphasize? Again is this future or does it say something about Jesus being the present kingdom of God and the consequences of unbelief for Israel?

5. Vs. 45-48 continue to be metaphorical. There are three levels of punishment for bad servants: 1. Severe beating (literally'cut in half') and cast out with the unbelievers for really evil servants 2) pretty bad beating for irresponsible servants 3) light beating for ignorant servants. How does this fit with 1 Cor 3:10-15? Where do you stand on the readiness scale?