The Son of Man is coming

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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Salt of the Sound

Today is Sunday the 30th of November, the First Sunday of Advent.

Welcome to this new season of Advent. Take a moment to arrive. Ask for the grace you need for this time of preparation.

Reflect on the ways in which you are longing for Jesus this Advent as you hear Salt of the Sound sing ‘Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus'.

Come Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel's strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver

Born a child and yet a King

Born to reign in us forever

Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone

By Thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to Thy glorious throne

3:28

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 24:37-44

For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

5:34

Soaring (with Cephas Azariah & IKSRE)

Antarctic Wastelands

‘Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.’ Notice how you respond to these words of Jesus... What does it mean to you to be alert, to stay awake in this context?

Perhaps this passage brings up anxieties or fears for you. But can you hear it as a call? As an invitation to be ready? To draw near to the God of love, keeping close as we wait for His return?

The fundamental message of Jesus is love. You might be asked to show love to the “unlovely” today. Or to keep loving where that is the most challenging thing to do. Or simply to accept the love of God given to you, warts and all.

Listen to the passage again and notice what draws you most.

8:45

Matthew 24:37-44

For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

10:22

Speak with God about what is staying with you... perhaps a word or a phrase... maybe it’s your fears, about whatever it is you dread. Be persistent in prayer. Ask God for help as you wrestle with these words of Jesus. It is sometimes in the wrestling that inexplicable peace arrives.

12:00

O Wisdom

Lord and Ruler

Root of Jesse

Key of David

Rising Sun

King of the Nations

Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus