Matt 24:36-44 for Sunday, December 2, 2007

Translation:
(36) But about that day and hour no one knows; neither the angels of heaven nor the Son but only the Father. (37)For just as the days of Noah, thus the coming of the Son of Man will be. (38)For as it was in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day Noah entered into the ark. (39)And they did not know until the flood came and swept everything away. Thus the coming of the Son of Man will be. (40)At that time two people will be in the field, one will be taken and one will be left behind. (41)Two people will be grinding with the mill stone, one will be taken and one will be left behind. (42)Therefore be alert, because you do not know which day your Lord comes. (43)But come to know this, that if a householder had known during which guard the thief was coming, he would keep watch and not allow his house to be broken in. (44)Therefore, you also must be ready because you do not know the hour the Son of Man comes.

This picture of the coming of the Lord has frightened people for centuries. Though I haven't read the books, I imagine this must be the scriptural basis for the "Left Behind" series. Isn't it the truth that from our youngest memories, even as children, our worst fear is to be "left behind." Left behind by a parent or grandparent, inadvertently at the grocery store. To be left behind by the popular kids at school. To be left behind when promotions are given.

I do not think this scripture is intended to invoke fear. I think, rather, it is intended to be a guide to us as God continues to work in this world. The allusion to Noah is likely not an allusion to the wickedness of the people, as it is described in Genesis 6. Jesus makes no mention of the flood as retribution for their wickedness. Rather, the allusion is to the lack of knowledge that any impending disaster was on the way. People lead their lives as they ordinarily would. They didn't build levies or build their homes on stilts because they had no idea that a flood was coming.

The same is true for those that work in the field or grinding with the millstone. These are tasks that would have probably been carried out by the lower classes of society; likely slaves. Their work will continue right up until the time the Jesus comes. Even the believers will simply continue with their ordinary daily tasks with no foreknowledge about the coming of the Son of Man.

And when the Son of Man comes, some will be taken and some will be left behind. I am reminded of a bumper sticker I once saw: "In the event of rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned." I doubt Jesus had this statement in mind. Rather, what is said is that some will be taken or gathered into the saved community, just as some were taken into the ark at the time of Noah. At the time of Christ's coming (parousia) even though the two workers in the field or two grinders at the mill may seem very much alike, this final judgment will prove their fundamental differences.

Far from being a scripture to cause anxiety, I believe this scripture is meant to be a comfort. Prepare your heart and mind for the coming of Christ every day, and you will be prepared for the day that he comes in final victory. This scripture is a comfort, an assurance that when Christ comes again, believers will be gathered into the community of the saved. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that you will know that you are a member of the community of the saved when you feel the assurance of salvation in your heart. Wesley tried as best he could to describe what assurance might feel like, but ultimately this is between you and God. Only you can know what assurance feels like in your own heart.

It may seem strange that this kind of reading is the first reading for the Advent season, a season of preparation for Christmas, but this scripture calls us to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. Shopping until we're broke is probably not the way to do this. Using Advent as an opportunity for prayer and devotional time is probably a better use of our time in preparation for the Christ child. What could you do to prepare?