Yes, stay awake, Jesus says. Don't miss a thing! Be alert to the signs of His presence.
You do not want to be surprised - that is, caught off guard - when He returns.
Speaking of surprises ... An older gentleman played the lottery often; his family would hold
the ticket for him and watch the numbers. Surprise! He won $100 million! Now the family was
put in a difficult spot. They were concerned that 93-year-old grandfather might have a heart attack
and die when he heard the news. What to do? They thought they would talk to their pastor, a close
family friend, and get some advice. Maybe he would gently deliver the news to grandpa. The pastor
agreed to meet with him.
The pastor paid grandpa a visit. They talked about the weather and the pills grandpa was
taking. They talked about Aunt Emma in Omaha. Then the pastor asked, "How would you feel
if you won $100 million?"
Grandpa responded, "Well, I'd still have arthritis and I'd still be 93 years old. I'd probably
give you the money so you can build your church."
At which point the pastor had a heart attack and died! Surprise!
The bible tells us many stories of people surprised at the power and presence of
God – like the people who lived in total disregard for the Lord's laws and were suddenly
swept away in the great flood or those destroyed at Sodom and Gomorrah. At a time we least
expect, to Lord will return in all His glory. There's one way to prepare – stay awake, live today
like the disciple you are called to be, repent today of sinfulness. This Advent, Jesus says –
stay awake!
