» Tuesday: Watch in Expectation Emmaus Church

Tuesday: Watch in Expectation

Posted by kenneth - 06/04/09 at 01:04:34 pm

On the Road to Calvary

This week we will explore a few of the many events that took place during the week prior to Christ’s crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week, the day we call Easter. Let us walk with Jesus as he walked those last steps of his life on the road to Calvary.

TUESDAY, April 7
Reading: Matthew 25:1-14; Mark 13:32-35
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1″At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6″At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7″Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9″ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10″But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11″Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
12″But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
13″Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

The Day and Hour Unknown
32″No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35″Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

Devotional: Watching in Expectation

Jesus. Won’t it be great to see him? To bow before him and kiss his feet in worship? To thank him for all his love and forgiveness and provision? To praise him for how he has changed you and your family?

In his last days here on earth, Jesus made it clear that he will come back to get us. There are times it is so hard to live here without him in physical form to encourage us. That is why we must watch for his coming. There are two things that are true here. First, Jesus is coming. We don’t know when, but he will come back anytime, any day. I personally can’t wait. Second, we are easily distracted. Every day is filled with our needs, pain, fear, unforgiveness, anger, and yes, even rebellion.

We need to ask Jesus to teach us to watch for him. We really don’t know how to wait in expectation for his return. An application is found in our daily reliance on Jesus. See, when a need appears we ask for his intervention, then we look for him to come and meet us in that need. We rely on him and we expect him to care for us. Likewise, we can watch for his coming and wait expectantly, knowing it will come to pass. God’s Word is true. Jesus is coming again!

“… This same Jesus … will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11

Prayer: Father, teach me how to look for Jesus to come to me in my everyday needs. Then, teach me to watch for Him ‘til he comes for us all. Amen.

Emmaus Church