The False Comfort of Certainty
Scripture: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24.36, ESV)
MAIN POINT: Jesus deliberately withholds the date of His return so we will live every day in faithful readiness.
We love our Advent calendars with their little doors marking the countdown to Christmas. Fourteen more days, they assure us. Still plenty of time. This chronological certainty is comforting—and dangerous. We begin to apply this mindset to our spiritual lives: plenty of time to get serious about faith, plenty of time to reconcile that relationship, plenty of time to share the Gospel with our neighbor.
But Jesus offers no such calendar for His return. He provides no countdown, no little doors to pry open. Even the angels don’t know. Even the Son, during His earthly ministry, did not know. Only the Father knows. This is not cruel mystery but loving wisdom. If we knew the date, we would procrastinate until the last moment. We would live carelessly for years, planning to “get right with God” when the time drew near.
Instead, Jesus calls us to chronological uncertainty—not to make us anxious but to make us vigilant. Like a homeowner who doesn’t know when the thief might come, we stay alert. Like servants who don’t know when the master will return, we remain faithful. This uncertainty is a gift that transforms every day into an opportunity for faithful service.
Reflection: God’s timing remains hidden so that our faithfulness remains constant. How would your daily life change if you knew Christ would return in exactly one year? How should chronological uncertainty shape your priorities today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us for living as though we have endless time. Teach us to number our days and gain hearts of wisdom. Keep us watchful and faithful every day. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
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