Our Daily Bread -- An Ordinary Day
January 25, 2014
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42
While exploring a museum exhibit titled “A Day in Pompeii,” I was struck by the repeated theme that August 24, ad
79 began as an ordinary day. People were going about their daily
business in homes, markets, and at the port of this prosperous Roman
town of 20,000 people. At 8 a.m.,
a series of small emissions were seen coming from nearby Mount
Vesuvius, followed by a violent eruption in the afternoon. In less than
24 hours, Pompeii and many of its people lay buried under a thick layer
of volcanic ash. Unexpected.
Jesus
told His followers that He would return on a day when people were going
about their business, sharing meals, and having weddings, with no idea
of what was about to happen. “As the days of Noah were, so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37).
The
Lord’s purpose was to urge the disciples to be watchful and prepared:
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour
you do not expect” (v.44).
What surprising joy it would be to welcome our Savior on this ordinary day! David McCasland
