Jump Start # 1502

Revelation 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.”

  Anticipation—that’s the feeling in many households as the holidays are approaching. Moms and dads anticipate seeing their grown children and their grandchildren. Kids anticipate opening presents. Waiting is hard. There are many moments in life like this. There are those anxious moments waiting for the birth of a child. I have seen many a groom pacing as the moment got close for the wedding to begin. Anticipating.

Our verse this morning anticipates the coming of Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus. What a welcoming call by the beloved of God. Come quickly. Come now. There was a great desire to be with the Lord. They knew the coming of Jesus would change things forever. They knew things would only get better once Jesus came.

I was thinking about the coming of Jesus this morning. I have a full plate of things I have to get done in the next day or two. My schedule is full. I’m burning the midnight oil to complete some projects that must be done by the first of the year. The demands of work are pressing. Family is coming in. There are a ton of things that must be done in the next couple of days. My mind has been racing trying to figure out what needs to be done first. There are errands I have to run. There are phone calls I need to make. All of this seems so important and pressing to me, yet how all of this would change if Jesus came. All those deadlines just wouldn’t matter anymore if Jesus came. There’s a sermon I’m trying to finish that would never get preached if Jesus came. There are articles that need finishing and books to be read that would never get done if Jesus came.

Suddenly, the thought of Jesus coming, helps us to see what is really important. In a time in which the world seems focused on Jesus the baby in the manger, the thought of the coming Lord doesn’t occupy too many minds. What if Jesus came this morning? What if we all were awakened by a loud noise and a bright light? What if we looked outside and the sky was full of angels? Thousands of them. Everywhere. What if the Lord came this morning?

– Forget going to work or the store if Jesus came this morning

– The political gaming that seems to go on just wouldn’t matter

– There would be presents that never got opened

– There would be trips that were never taken

– There would be bills that never got paid

– There would be criminals that never got sentenced

– There would be weddings that never took place

– There would be funerals and burials that never took place

– There would be buildings, bridges, and highway projects that never got completed

– There would be books that were never finished or published

– There would be movies that never got shown

– There would be some who never graduated

– There would be surgeries that never took place

– There would be sermons and articles that were never produced

– There would be mail that never got delivered

– There would be orders that never got picked up

– There would be some who never got to apologize and others who never received an apology

– All the things people are working on would never be completed

If Jesus came this morning, what a thought. It would bring some sadness because we would not see some wonderful things in this life. It would be horror to some who were simply not ready. Some have thought about Jesus. Some have stuck their big toe into the Bible, but they never made a commitment. Not yet. Not now. But if Jesus came this morning, they would not be ready.

If Jesus came this morning, the faithful would smile. Come, Lord Jesus would be a reality. They would know what was happening. They would know what’s to follow. They would know, because they have walked with the Savior most of their lives. They have loved Him, obeyed Him, trusted Him and longed to be with Him. And on that morning, they got to see Him.

Come, Lord Jesus. Can you say that? Are you ready for that? He’s coming, we just don’t know when. Live right. Live with hope. Live prayerfully. Live joyfully. Live with the anticipation that He’s coming.

A thought that helps us in our busy times. Be thankful. Be useful. Be what God expects.

Roger