Today’s Reading: Luke 12:35-40
Daily Lectionary:Isaiah 60:1-22; Luke 1:39-56
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Tonight, many will be celebrating the ringing in of the New Year. Tomorrow families will gather around the dinner table again as the celebration of a New Year begins. Unfortunately for many in our midst the true significance of these two days will be overlooked. The Circumcision of our Savior Jesus Christ.
As Luke leads his reader to the faithful witness of Jesus Christ and delivers the certainty of the events he witnessed, he delivers the words of Christ regarding being ready for the return of the Son of Man. Christ did not come to just die and resurrect but the rest of the narrative is His glorious return. The world around us does not want to be a part of that message. Main line Christianity focuses only on our death and life in Heaven but forgets the rest of the story, “The return of Christ.”
Christ reminds His hearers to be ready for His return. He likens it to the thief in the night. We do not know when he is coming, only that he is coming. We do not know the day or the hour when He will return but we do know for certain that He is going to return. He merely says, “Be ready.” We have been made ready for the return of Christ in our Baptism. We have been marked in the waters of reconciliation and carry the name of Christ both upon our hearts and upon our heads. We have been given faith that holds fast to the promises of Christ that His works are sufficient for our salvation. We are made ready!
On the eve of Jesus’ Circumcision, He was made ready for the next day. He would be presented before the Priest and part of His body would be removed. The night before He was prepared for that significant day in His life. The day that He received the mark of Circumcision. In the same manner we are made ready for the Day of Christ’s return. We wait as if each day were the eve of His return. We are anxious for His return. We do not know the exact day or hour, but we do know that He is coming again, and we are ready. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer:
Eternal God, we commit to Your mercy and forgiveness the year now ending and commend to Your blessing and love the times yet to come. In the new year, abide among us with Your holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ToDP 1075)
-Pastor Timothy Paul Davis is Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Athens Georgia.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Patrick Sturdivant, Development and Marketing Executive at Higher Things.
Study Christ’s words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.
