But some newcomers have not been very welcome, as they have been stripping lead from our various portions of roof. These burglars are wise enough to make sure that their night time activity is out of sight from the car park, and the ever-watchful CCTV cameras installed near the shops. So the only resort left to us seems to be to keep watch, inside our building, during the night hours.
This keeping watch is what Jesus recommends as the only way to face a more significant event. '“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a home owner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.' (Matthew 24.42-44)
Jesus is telling us that we can be completely confident that, one day, our Lord is coming, so we need to be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
This is different from the possibility of the lead burglars returning. This unwelcome event is likely but not certain, whereas Jesus tells us that His return is certain, but possibly distant.
However, the attitude of being ready all the time for the wonderful and glorious return of Jesus could have a wonderful effect on our daily lives. Jesus' return is a great motivation for clearing out the junk habits and time-wasting life-killing patterns in all our lives. So today, I shall aim for simple devotion in our complex world.
On an encouraging note, yesterday afternoon, Surrey Police rang me to say that they had 3 lads in custody, who had admitted to stripping some of our roof lead. The only question to ponder is whether there are other burglars out there who have also been on the job!
Best wishes,
Richard
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