While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. Luke 24

Surprise is a complex emotion. Unwanted surprises scare or shock us. Even good things that come unexpectedly are sometimes frightening. That’s what happened when Jesus came back to meet His disciples after His resurrection.

You see, they were not prepared for the return He had promised so they mistook Him for a ghost! What a mistake to make. This is why we are told over and over about the urgency of Christ’s return.

It’s not so much about the actual date of his coming but about the posture of anticipation we take on. Think about it, if it was a deadline, people would wait until the last minute. Since we anticipate his immediate return, we always wait as if it could be any moment. That attitude should change the urgency of our actions.

Prayer

Lord, we anticipate your coming with joy and reverence. Help us to be the kind of people who pray earnestly, “Come quickly!” Amen.

Ethan Kirl

Originally Published August 4, 2020