Like a ... Thief?

Daily Reading: Revelation 16

Scripture Focus: Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed! (Revelation 16.15)

Devotional Thought: In high school grammar, I learned the difference between "like" and "as."  I'm not saying that I remember the difference, but I remember learning the difference!  (I'm also not saying that I always use them correctly!) Jesus' statement that he is "coming like a thief" caused me to think about this grammar conundrum. 

Did Jesus mean he is like a thief?  Did he mean he is coming as a thief?  Those ideas don't seem sustainable, given the eighth commandment!

No, Jesus didn't say he is like a thief or coming as a thief.  He said, he is coming like a thief would come.  How is that? Unexpected.  Unannounced.  Quietly.

Since that is how he is coming, Jesus said we must...

·       Stay awake.  Jesus chided his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane because they could not stay awake for even one hour.  It was his time of greatest need, and his closest friends failed to support him.  The result of their sleepy prayerlessness?  "They all left him and fled" (Mark 14.50).

·       Keep our garments on.  When we are dressed, we are ready for action.  Jesus is not concerned that we be dressed physically, but rather spiritually.  When he comes, we must be covered in his righteousness.  Do not neglect your wardrobe!

·       Not be exposed.  In Matthew 18, Jesus told a story about a debtor whose huge debt was forgiven, but who later went out and beat his fellow servant for failing to repay him a miniscule debt.  When he did not forgive his debtor, the man was exposed to the liabilities of his original debt.  Jesus doesn't want us to be exposed when he comes again!

Jesus is coming.  Are you ready?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for paying the price for my sins.  Thank you for forgiving me and giving me new life.  One day you are coming like a thief.  Help me to stay awake, to be dressed in your righteousness, and to not be exposed.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 104.10-15

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;

11 they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.

13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth

15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.