But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

I remember many times in my life when I did not know when I would see someone again. One time, it was an acquaintance, a friend of my older brother, that I lost contact with in jr. high, only to be reunited with him here in Idaho. This was a blessing and he has become a friend of mine too, now that I am older. Other times, I remember moving away in high school, and missing a friend that I used to study the Bible with. After college, I made friends with bank clients that, when I left, I missed them.

In context here, Jesus is talking to his disciples and followers — the people who have walked with him over his ministry. He is not only telling them he is going away, but when he comes back he is telling them that he will be coming back to judge the world and they will not know when he returns.

He will not come back as just a human and a poor man, or even a teacher and a friend. He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will come back enthroned in majesty and with full power and authority to judge the living and the dead.

And when he comes back, we are called to be doing his Kingdom work, the work God has prepared for us in advance to do. Not sure what this work is? Ask him. He will tell you, “Follow me and follow my good people who follow me.” Take a risk, step out and serve and love on others.

When you follow Jesus, his Spirit guides us in the way to righteous and wholesome life in him. He guides us on an adventure of trusting and placing our hope in God. Sometimes this adventure will require significant sacrifice on our part — our time, our emotions, our skills, or our money and things. But if we are faithful, he will find us serving him when he comes again.

Conversely, for those who choose to reject his commands and live a life of unfaithfulness, he will not find them doing his good works when he comes. And they will pay the consequences — a life separated from God.

How will he find me? On the spiritual adventure that is knowing God and serving him, or off track from God’s directions in life and stalled out or taking it easy?

Lord, keep my heart pure and steadfast, always seeking out your truth and grace. May I never take for granted the life you rescued me from. And lead on, Lord Jesus. Lead on. I will follow.