“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory.”
Matthew 24:30 

When reflecting on this passage, it is easy to get caught up in differing eschatological theories or to see it through the lens of current events. 

Christians have engaged in both for many years.

This difficult passage leads to many questions that have occupied theologians for centuries. 

There is also the tension following this verse. Jesus says both that we should know the return is near because of the signs of the times and that no one will know the hour because He will return at an unexpected time.

So many people have been fascinated by these things. However, I am more drawn to the end of the chapter where Jesus talks about two slaves, one who diligently works until the master’s return and another who gets impatient and grows violent and “eats and drinks with drunkards.”

In the end, after all the talk, Jesus tells us to go about our business serving Him without worrying about the time of His return. 

Ultimately, when Jesus returns, we will know. The entire world will know. We shouldn’t speculate about it or listen to every rumor about a return, even if it is supported by seemingly miraculous events.

I believe that the tribes will mourn at Christ’s return because the world will realize that we have not been living in service of Him.

Until Christ returns in undeniable power and glory, we should serve Him by loving God and by loving our neighbor. We should pursue justice and walk humbly. We should serve the least.

If we set our eyes on power rather than service, we too will mourn when He comes in the clouds.

A Verse to Consider:

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
–Hans Hoffman

Hans Hoffman was a great artist and teacher. He taught and influenced several noted Abstract Expressionists.

His advice here is good for art and for life. Though I find it much easier to follow this advice in my art than in my life. My personal aesthetic is simple, so this perspective comes pretty naturally when I am in the studio.

It is a different story in life.

I have many interests and care about a lot of things. There are so many things that I want to do, but I can’t realistically get to them all. When I was in my early twenties, I read a book that said, “You can do anything in life but not everything.” The book wasn’t great, but this one quote made it worth reading.

It is my tendency to want to chase every thought and try to do it all. I have idea after idea, coupled with an unquenchable curiosity. But most of my ideas and interests aren’t necessary. I am working on eliminating the unnecessary in my life so that the necessary can speak.

This is also true in my spiritual life. I have always enjoyed theology. But there are so many disputable theologies, and it is easy to be distracted by them. The pastor at my church often says, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” This quote is generally attributed to Stephen Covey, but I think my pastor attributes it to a mid-twentieth-century baseball player.

These are all different ways of reminding us that we need to focus on what really matters. In faith, we need to focus on the heart of the matter.

The heart of faith isn’t rules or behaviors, it is love. God is love. Jesus reduces all 600-plus Jewish commandments to love: love God and love people. John wrote, “Let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

I think we need to simplify our faith so that the necessary can speak. Sometimes we just need to shut up and love.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, 

Keep my heart fixed on what matters most. Teach me to love You, love others, and serve faithfully until You come.  

Amen.

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