Dear Christian friends:

Today is the last Sunday of the Church Year. Today's lessons tell about Jesus' coming to judge all people living and dead. How do you feel about that? Are you ready for Jesus to come again? Are you afraid or happy to hear that Jesus is coming again? Will you be surprised when Jesus comes again or do you expect His coming and wait eagerly for it?


We should not be surprised by the Last Day. Only unbelievers will be surprised and worry and fear about that day. (verses 1-5) Why? They make themselves right by the law. They hide their sins or make beautiful excuses for their sins. They never know if they are ready. Their conscience blames them and condemns them. They don't want to hear about Judgement Day. They don't want to think about it.

But Jesus' friends will not be surprised. (verse 4) Why? Because we know Jesus will not judge us by the Law, but by the Gospel, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 16:15)

So, we are sure about our merit. Our Judge is our Savior and Friend. We will not be surprised when He comes. We eagerly wait for Him to come. Do you eagerly wait for Judgement Day? Do you hope and pray for it? Paul did.

Often we are like Lot's wife. We love this here world too much. Often we are like unbelievers, and worry and fear about Judgement Day. So Paul admonishes us in verses 5-11, "You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Don't fall into Satan's trap and think you are judged by the Ten Commandments. Don't compare yourself with others and think, "I am worse than him, God can't love me or want me. Or I am better then him maybe God will accept me." That is darkness. Remember, Jesus who comes to Judge you is your Savior and Friend, verse 9.

Let us be children of the Day. We have heard the Good News that God loves and accepts sinners. We are not in darkness. Jesus, God's son is risen upon us. We should eagerly wait and hope for our Lord's return. Then we shall enter with Him into full glory. I want to close by signing TLH #371 hymn, "Jesus, Your Blood And Righteousness.

Amen.