Preaching Text: Matthew 24:29-44

Our assigned text for Advent I comes from a lengthier discourse in which Jesus laments over Jerusalem then offers 3 chapters of apocalyptic prophecy about the future. Some people say that history is cyclical or that it is headed nowhere in particular. To the contrary, Jesus’ teaching tells us where things are headed and what to expect. In his First Coming, Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God, but only at his Second Coming will it be fully consummated. Matthew 24 teaches us an important truth.

The future belongs to Jesus.

The apocalyptic genre is confusing because far-off future events are sometimes conflated with the nearer future. The first paragraph of our text seems to indicate Jesus’ prediction (borrowing language from Daniel 7:13-14) that he would rise and ascend to the Father and be given dominion over all things forever. This makes the best sense of verse 34 regarding fulfillment happening within his generation. It’s helpful that Jesus’ earliest predictions all came true, meaning we can trust his predictions about much later events, such as his Second Coming. Because he promises to return in glory to put all things right, we have a way forward.

1. We don’t have to put all of our hopes in this life. More and better things are coming with Christ’s return.
2. We don’t have to worry about the future. Jesus is good and trustworthy and fully competent to take care of his people.
3. We should pay attention to the present time. As Romans 13 teaches, we are being transformed into Christ’s likeness. Therefore, we must put off the works of darkness and put on Christ.

Taking It Home: Think about how you would live today if you knew Jesus was returning next week. Then do those things!