Advent : Are You Awake ?

The title was something along the lines of ’88 reasons why [Jesus will return] in 1988’. The book sold millions of copies, and it was re-released in 1989 with just a small amendment to the title.

Jesus was clear that even He did not know the date, time, or the year set by his Father for him to return. It is therefore not for us to speculate. However, Jesus also said (13:33), “Be on guard! Be alert ... [and] (13:37) watch!”

I love my Christmas dinner. I appreciate the fact that preparation and planning has gone into it. I absolutely loved my surprise 40th birthday party here at Christ Church. A lot of care and preparation and planning had gone into that. Some of you will be taking a lot of care and investing a lot of time into your Christmas preparations, and that is good! I love Christmas! To celebrate the gift of Jesus to the world by giving gifts to one another is a beautiful thing.

But Christmas Day lasts only for 24 hours. It comes and it goes; but when Jesus returns his return will be for ever, so what planning and preparation have you done? If you’ve not done any, you can start today.

In order to plan and prepare for the return of Jesus we need to be spiritually awake. So I guess my first question is a simple one. Are you spiritually awake and alert to Jesus? In our Old Testament reading (Isaiah 64:1-9) we read this (64:8-9), ’Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the Potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, oh Lord; do not remember our sins for ever.’

At the very moment that we put our faith and trust in Jesus, asking the living and risen Lord Jesus to come and be Lord of our lives, we become spiritually awake and alert to him. Perhaps one or two of us will become alert to the Lord Jesus for the first time today.

But Jesus was addressing his three closest friends and they had just spent three solid years with him, in his presence every day, and they knew him very well. Some of us here today have known Jesus as a reality in our lives for many years, so in order to be faithful to the context of our Bible reading it is people who already know Jesus who are the main focus of his words on this occasion. Therefore, to me Jesus says (13:36-37), ’If He comes suddenly; do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!”’ Keep awake!

Am I still as alert and awake to Jesus as I was 23 years ago? Back then I was full of passion, love and commitment for Jesus. I loved God dearly and I was learning to love my neighbour. The Bible was a delight. Telling others about the reality of Jesus was a joy. Prayer came naturally. My faith was growing.

How about now? How about today? How about you?

A few days ago I was asleep on the sofa. I think I was in a deep sleep! My ‘DIY’ wife Moira was putting a new book case together and I was woken up by what seemed like a sudden and loud noise, something like loud hammer on loud wood, but whatever it was I woke up with a start, and with a jump, and a yelp as my head and my neck were wrenched awkwardly. It was a painful experience!