There are a lot of clues . . . a lot of data to work through . . . a lot of theories on how it all falls together . . . but at the end of the day, when all is said and done, no one knows the day and hour of coming of the Son of Man. That Jesus is coming again is certain . . . as to when, that’s not so certain.

Three times in my reading in Matthew this morning I’m reminded “you do not know what hour your Lord is coming (24:42) . . . for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (24:44) . . . for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming (25:13).” The Lord is coming . . . the Son of Man is coming . . . we just don’t know when. But, we’re told to expect the unexpected.

Jesus said that His people were to “watch” and to “be ready” for His return. The uncertainty around the timing shouldn’t be an excuse to snooze, instead it should be motivation to make sure that we’re “packed and ready to go” at a moments notice . . . ready to go with but a “twinkling of an eye” warning (1Cor. 15:52). So, how do you expect the unexpected?

The clue for me comes in Matthew 24:45-46, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over household, to give him food in due season? Blessed is the servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” Pretty simple really . . . the “watching” and “ready” servant is the one who simply is found doing what the master’s asked him to do. When the master shows up unannounced, the servant is ready . . . not because he’s been sitting by the window idling looking for the master’s return . . . but because he had determined to do what the master asked him to do. The blessing . . . the “well done” . . . the “come on home” are all in the context of the servant faithfully discharging the duties given by the master.

We can spend all kinds of time trying to figure out the hour of His return so that we’re ready . . . or we can just be ready by being faithful to what He’s asked us to do. Our watchfulness is played out as, each day, we determine, as much as is within us and by the grace of God, to live in a manner worthy of our calling as Christians. Our readiness is manifest as we set our sights on wanting His will in our lives . . . and our lives to be lived in accordance with His will. We expect the unexpected by purposefully desiring to live for His glory.

For me, it will involve going to work in a little while and seeking to work in a way that brings Him honor. Should he not come today then, later this week, there will be other things that I’ll be doing . . . that I believe my Master has asked me to do for Him . . . and doing those out of a heart of submission and obedience. Will I be thinking about His imminent return every minute, 24/7? . . . . uh, probably not. But will I be ready? . . . I think so.

There is something about expecting the unexpected that’s a powerful motivator. The thought that I could be standing before Jesus in the next moment has a way of creating some focus on my thoughts, decisions and actions . . . it is the unknown timing of his return which really can get our heads in the game as we watch and seek to be ready. But I don’t think that being ready needs to be overly complex. Mine is to seek first His kingdom . . . mine is to confess and repent of sin . . . mine is to abide in Him . . . mine is to invite Him to abide in me . . . mine is to seek to walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit . . . mine is to be faithful with the talents He’s given and to do the work I believe He’s asked me to do . . . “Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job (Matt. 24:46 MSG).”

I’m thinking that’s how I am to expect the unexpected . . . and I can do that . . . by the grace of God . . . and for the glory of God . . . amen!