“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

A dying boy wanted to meet Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th President of America, whose term occupied most of the 1950’s. 

Somehow his request made its way to the President. One day, low and behold, Eisenhower just showed up at his front door, unannounced. It was an amazing day, and a dying boy got his wish!

It later came to light that the dad was somewhat upset. Why? Because he didn’t shave that day! The President came to his door and he looked like some sketchy guy who had slept in a cheap motel for three nights in a row. He wasn’t prepared to meet someone important.* 

Well, let me tell you, meeting a President or a Prime Minister, a King or Queen, or the world’s most famous celebrity, artist or news personality, will be nothing compared to meeting the King of kings, Jesus, on his return.

Whether or not we have shaved or put on make up won’t matter—but other things will. 

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a parable about his return. Some people were ready to meet him, others were not. As I outlined in the previous devotional, the difference was that some of the people had oil for their lamps, and others did not. Based on my study, the oil represents faith, loving action, and perseverance.

I want to say a word to those of you who feel you’re not doing great at this point in your life. Let me be clear. Being ready for Jesus is not about our world’s definition of ‘perfection.’ He cares more about your faith than how ‘successful’ you are in the eyes of a darkened society. He cares more about your humility than your worldly achievements, and more about the honesty of your prayers and repentance than whether your house is squeaky clean and whether your grades are super high.

It’s almost Christmas. This is a perfect time to re-centre yourself. Open the Word, worship the Lord, trust him, start to realign your priorities, love others, and plan to persevere to the end.

Notes:

–CHRISTMAS EVE. If you don’t have a church home, you’re invited to one of our two services at Westminster in Barrie, Canada. Our short “super family-friendly” service is 5:30 – 6:05pm, and our “traditional candlelit service” is from 7:00 – 7:45pm.

-*Stephen Seamands, Give them Christ (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2012), 158.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.