Will We Be Able to Gladly Welcome Jesus’ Return? 

On our way to our church association’s Annual Meeting in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, we decided to make a brief stop to see our son and his family in the Chattanooga area. Although we had been invited to do so, we weren’t sure if it was going to work out until the morning of our departure from home. We confirmed our last-minute plans with our son, but he and our daughter-in-law decided not to inform our little grandson that we were coming. So when he came to the door and saw us standing there, he excitedly shouted our names and welcomed us with big hugs. We were glad that he considered our unexpected visit to be such a good surprise.

One day Jesus is going to come knocking on the door of this world again. It will be an unexpected visit for many people. When He shows up, what will our reaction be? Will it be the delight and joy of seeing our Savior whom we love? Or will it be dread and fear such as a teenager might feel when his parents unexpectedly return home and catch him seriously misbehaving?  

In relation to His second coming, Jesus told a parable to His followers about a servant who was left in charge of his master’s household while the master was away (see Matthew 24:45-51). When the master returns, if that servant is wise and faithful, he will be found doing the work that the master had given him the responsibility to do. And as a result, he will be rewarded. However, the servant is described as being evil if he doesn’t take care of the duties with which he had been entrusted and even abuses his authority that he had been given. In that case, he will face the wrath of his master.  

If our Master were to unexpectedly show up today, would He find us to be faithful servants who are doing His will, or would He discover that we were neglecting those duties He had given us, maybe even doing harm instead of good? When we think about being ready for Jesus’ return, we often focus only on making sure we have trusted Jesus for salvation. And certainly, that is the main factor in our preparedness. Nevertheless, this parable reminds us that we also need to be faithful in doing the work our Master has left us to do. So what are those responsibilities Jesus has entrusted us with?

Some of the specific duties He has given us may vary from person to person. However, there are some general tasks that apply to all of us who are following Him. We are to be loving Him with all our hearts and loving others as ourselves. We are to be making disciples. We are to be sharing His Word. We are to be His witnesses. We are to be light and salt in this world. We are to be His ambassadors. We are to be laborers in the harvest field of souls. We are to be using our abilities and spiritual gifts for the work of His kingdom. We are to be a holy people who are becoming more like Jesus. We are to be students of His Word and faithful in prayer. We are to be fulfilling our unique role in the church and helping it to become the glorious Bride He calls it to be.   

Jesus has left us with plenty to do until His return. So let’s be faithful in doing it. Then when He does come back, we won’t be ashamed or afraid to see Him. We will gladly welcome Him, knowing that we will be greeted with His smile of pleasure and approval.