Have you ever wondered where some of our sayings originated? Don’t you think some of them have an interesting story behind them? Have you considered some of them originated from the Bible or a preacher long ago simplifying what the Bible said? We might have one today.
Read today’s passage. What saying comes to mind? I’m guessing you came up with the same one I did: Like a thief in the night. I also imagine that you have heard it used in ways that have nothing to do with how it might originally been used. But that’s how it goes with sayings. Their use morphs over time.
Notice that Jesus uses the example to drive home the point that no one knows when He will return. It also could have been used because the average person can understand it, even today. We typically hear of robberies taking place at night or when people are away. It is still a shocker to hear of a bank robbery “in broad daylight.”
Just as it was stated yesterday, Jesus says we are to be ready. We must remain vigilant in our following His commands. Our momentary lapses must end quickly and with our repentance. Our hearts desire is to follow Him and be like Him. He must be our role model, example to follow, and mentor. When we decide we will follow Jesus with every bit of our being, not only will our lives change for the better, but we will be ready when He returns.
I pray we all see and hear Jesus’s point. I pray we are vigilant in following His commands. I pray each one of us choose to follow Jesus with every bit of our being so we ready when He returns. Like a thief in the night. Follow Jesus’s commands. Follow His example. He will be your mentor.
Mathew 24:43-44 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Marty Pressey 