Sharper Iron — All Righteousness Fulfilled: A Thief in the Night

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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.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Matthew 24:36-51

No One Knows That Day and Hour

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[a] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master 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. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,[b] whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants[c] and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Footnotes:

Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son

Matthew 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50

Matthew 24:49 Or bondservants

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.