There is no greater hope in the Christian life than the return of Jesus Christ. While there are many theories about His return and when it will take place, there’s no question that He will come back and reconcile us to Him both physically and spiritually one day and that the hour is near. Another thing is equally clear. Jesus calls us to be ready, with a focus on being prepared as a way of life.
The expectation of the coming of Christ shapes our lives into one of faith, purpose, and close and intimate walk with God. No one has an idea when that great promise is going to come. Jesus Himself explained that only the Father knows the exact time and it will be unexpected and sudden (Matthew 24:42-44). In other words, we are to live each day in anticipation, ensuring that when He comes, He will find us steadfast.
A Heart That Watches and Waits
Jesus constantly encouraged and reminded His followers to be watchful and prepared. One of His best-known parables, the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), emphasizes this need. Ten bridesmaids are waiting for their bridegroom, but when he arrives, only five of them have enough oil in their lamps. The other five had left to buy more oil to refill their lamps and missed the banquet.
No matter the specifics of the interpretation, certain things are universally relevant to all followers of Christ. This parable is a reminder that preparation is personal. The bridesmaids were all responsible for their own lamps. No one else can make us ready; we must grow deeper in our own relationship with God. We can cultivate our relationship with Jesus in several ways.
Prayer and Trust in God – A prepared heart is one that talks to God on a daily basis. It’s less prayer and more dependence on Him on a daily basis. Prayer makes us sensitive to His presence and keeps our hearts aligned with His will.
Spending Time in God’s Word – The Bible is our wisdom book for life. Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). A heart that seeks Christ is a heart that feeds on His Word, allowing it to guide our thinking and actions.
Obedience to God’s Will – Knowing God’s Word is not enough; we must be faithful to it. James 1:22 instructs, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” A willing heart obeys and responds to God’s will.
Faithfulness in Our Daily Life
Being ready for Christ’s coming is not merely a matter of religious practice – it shows up in the way we live day to day. Jesus instructs us to be faithful in the responsibilities He has given us. How do we stay faithful in our Christian journey with Him?
Loving Others Well – Jesus said in Matthew 22: 37-39 that there is no greater commandment than to love God and the others around us. In fact, He placed equal importance in loving people. Whether it be in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are called to treat people with compassion, kindness, and grace.
Serving with Purpose – God has blessed us with many gifts and opportunities that enable us to serve people and be a blessing to those who are around us. They may come in the way of a ministry, our work, and even our relationships, but all of these have the ability to make an impact, glorifying His Kingdom.
Integrity in Small Things – Faithfulness in small matters can lead to great things. One way we can practise such faithfulness is through a life of integrity, diligence, and faithfulness, both in public and in our private lives.
Living with an Eternal Perspective
Waiting upon Jesus involves to a degree a life that is focused on an eternal perspective. It doesn’t mean that we are so ‘heavenly-minded’ that we lose our relevance to this world or that we neglect our current responsibilities, but it does mean we prioritize what truly matters.
While our lives on Earth are blessings from God, filled with wonderful things such as our relationships with our loved ones, good food and health, and even our capacity to enjoy our hobbies, these things must never become a distraction that takes our focus away from God. Living with eternity in mind means being intentional about what we invest our time and energy in. Build on the things that last – meaningful relationships, acts of kindness, the gospel, and living a fruitful life.
Above all, we must hold on to the hope we have through the promise of Jesus’s return, especially in difficult times. Revelation 21:4 reminds us of this future hope: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” No matter what happens in the world, we know that God has good plans for us and that those plans will prevail. Keeping our eyes on this promise gives us strength to endure challenges with faith.
Encouraging Others to Be Ready
Being prepared is a collective effort – it’s something we do together as the body of Christ. Jesus’ return is good news, and we are called to share that hope with others.
Hebrews 10:24-25
Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
Here are several ways we can help others stay ready:
Sharing the Gospel – Many people are unprepared simply because they don’t know Jesus. We have the responsibility to share the message of salvation so others can also be ready.
Building Up Fellow Believers – Encouragement is crucial. Life can be discouraging, and believers need each other for support, prayer, and accountability. Whether through friendships, small groups, or church communities, we should be strengthening one another in faith.
Living Out Our Faith – Sometimes, the best way to encourage others is simply by living out our faith. Our lives should reflect the love, joy, and peace that come from walking with Christ. When others see our faith in action, it can inspire them to seek God as well.
A Life Well Lived
Jesus’ return is not meant to be a source of fear, but of hope. Rather than trying to predict the day or the hour, He calls us to live each moment in readiness. Being prepared means cultivating a strong relationship with Him, living faithfully in our daily responsibilities, keeping our eyes on eternity, and helping others do the same.
When we live this way, we won’t have to worry about when Jesus will return – because whenever He does, we will be ready. And in the end, that’s what truly matters.
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