A Thief in the Night

Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Matthew 24:36-51. Jesus shifts from speaking about the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 to the topic of His second coming on the Last Day. His disciples had asked Him about both prior to His discourse. Jesus told them what would happen prior to the destruction of the temple, but when it comes to His second coming, Jesus answers: “There will be no sign. Watch!” Only the Father knows the Day of Jesus’ return. As in the days of Noah, unbelievers were going about daily life with no thought to God’s Law or Gospel, so the Son of Man will come suddenly to bring salvation to His people and judgment to unbelievers. This calls for readiness for Christians. As a thief in the night comes unexpectedly, so Jesus will come unexpectedly. To be ready for His return, then, is to have faith, the gift of God. In such faith, we know that Jesus is our gracious Master. As He has freely given to us, we live now in faithfulness and love in the vocations that He has given us as we await the glorious Day of His return. “All Righteousness Fulfilled” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that digs into the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The first evangelist proclaims Jesus to Jews and Gentiles alike as the fulfillment of God’s saving words and acts throughout the Old Testament. As the Christ in the line of David and Abraham, Jesus is the promised King who comes to bring sinners from every nation to live under His gracious reign.