As the Lightning Flashes, So He Will Come

Text: Matthew 24:15-31

Reflection and Question: Here in Advent, the daily readings give us an opportunity to reflect upon the apocalyptic visions of what will happen before Jesus returns. Or perhaps they speak of what was happening just before Jesus came the first time, to be born in Bethlehem to the girl, Mary. Whichever coming is paramount in our minds, one theme is constant: as the lightning comes, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. It will flash before us without warning but with power, so that our job is to be as ready as we can be for the unexpected. How do you prepare for Jesus’ coming?

Prayer: Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God, we shudder at all that You describe of what is to come before the end of the age. You speak of great suffering and false teaching. May we be among those who will be gathered in the end, we pray. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).