IS IT WEIRD to say that God is “reliable” … and yet, at the same time, to say that God is “unpredictable?”
We could actually spend some time talking about “God’s reliable unpredictability!”
I know these sound like fifty cent huge words – (WHEN YOU ARE HEARING THEM) but they really are not! They sound much bigger than they really are!
Talk about your oxymoron!
When it comes to the “coming kingdom” or the “end of times” our text emphasizes the “unpredictability” of the “expected” and hopefully “desired” coming.
Only God knows when… (for sure.)
And he isn’t telling, anyone. ANYONE! No one! Not anyone! Not even the son! Even Jesus is left out of that loop!
The Season of Advent provides an “excellent reminder” that, despite the “reliability of God’s promises” God always acts in his own good time.
He works on his schedule…on his timeline…using his time frame, not ours.
And therefore, all those predictions and pronouncements made by many – are at best, unwise, misguided and ill advised.
They do sell books…and spread a lot of fear among the faithful.
They do make national and sometimes even international headlines.
They do raise eyebrows…and usually come off as being somewhat “creepy.”
They do provide an individual or a religious group with their fifteen minutes of fame…be it good or be it bad publicity.
And they mostly make a lot of money for some individuals…
And they do ultimately get people’s attention. But never in a positive way. And they usually do more harm to the church – than anything else.
But you know as well as I do – that there is always going to be someone to give us dates…and pretend that they know the time.
They have “special knowledge.” They have “secret insight.” They know “more” than Jesus, himself!
Never try to “out-guess” God! It usually doesn’t end well.
And definitely beware of those who say that they know “when” or “how” God is going to act.
Advent always sends a strong message to the contrary…
God’s promises are good. They always have been. God’s promises are sure. We have his word. He is trustworthy.
But our being able to predict or to tell or to say, exactly when God will act…is not in the realm of possibility.
God will act – when God will act.
God does not take orders from us!
We know that Matthew is using the Gospel of Mark as his main source.
Both Mark and Matthew point to the need – for “the people of God to be ready”…to be constantly ready…vigilant and awake…
A major part of our faith is continually preparing ourselves and constantly growing in our lives of faithfulness…
We are never done…We are never finished…We never arrive.
We can always go deeper and further…We can always learn more…
And of course, the reason for this preparedness…is that the Kingdom of God might just break in at any moment…at any time.
Like a thief in the night…It can happen at any time…Keep your doors locked…
Keep your lamps trimmed and make sure you have plenty of oil for the future…
It is unpredictable. It is not for us to determine.
And Jesus himself told his disciples to be ready, to be prepared…
For almost two millennium that has been the emphasis of the season of Advent.
Be on watch. Be on guard. Be alert. Be ready. Vigilance is good. Keep awake. There is still more to learn, more to know…
The kingdom of God can or will break in at a most “unexpected time.”
The good news in all of this – is that it is our God, the God of life, the Father of Jesus, who is in charge. It is he who is in control. He will no doubt come quietly, when our guard is down, with stealth and subtlety – he will come.
Trust me: You will be surprised!
He will not be expected, he will catch you off guard, and he will definitely come in his own sweet time…what we are talking here is: God’s reliable unpredictability!
And you can count on it!