Today's Daily Bread

 

 

                                                                                

An Ordinary Day

January 25, 2014 — by David C. McCasland

Our Daily Bread

 

 

Read: Matthew 24:36-44

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. —Matthew 24:42

 

 

Bible in a Year:
Exodus 12-13; Matthew 16

While exploring a museum exhibit titled “A Day in Pompeii,” I was struck by the repeated theme that August 24, ad 79 began as an ordinary day. People were going about their daily business in homes, markets, and at the port of this prosperous Roman town of 20,000 people. At 8 a.m., a series of small emissions were seen coming from nearby Mount Vesuvius, followed by a violent eruption in the afternoon. In less than 24 hours, Pompeii and many of its people lay buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash. Unexpected.

Jesus told His followers that He would return on a day when people were going about their business, sharing meals, and having weddings, with no idea of what was about to happen. “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37).

The Lord’s purpose was to urge the disciples to be watchful and prepared: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (v.44).

What surprising joy it would be to welcome our Savior on this ordinary day!

 

Perhaps today!

Insight

A few days before Jesus was crucified, the disciples asked, “When . . . and what will be the sign of Your coming?” (Matt. 24:3). In Matthew 24–25, also known as the Olivet Discourse, Jesus spoke to them about the events that will precede His second coming. Because no one, not even Jesus, knows the day or the hour (24:36,42; Mark 13:32), Jesus warned us not to be deceived by speculations of His return (Matt. 24:4) but to be alert, vigilant, and always ready (v.44).