The coming of the Son of Man
by Faye Schmidt
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But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come (Mark 13:32,33).
Read Mark 13:24–37
The focus for many when reading this text is on the reference to the Son not knowing when he will return. Why doesn’t he know? Isn’t the Son one with the Father? Of course they are, but we ignore the nature of Jesus as both God and man. In referencing those who do not ‘know’, it is Jesus in his humanity that is referenced, linking him to us in our humanity. It is humanity that will not know when, where and how the Son will return.
And what are we to do? Keep awake. Be alert. Watch.
But do we? Don’t we just find ourselves thinking, ‘It hasn’t happened yet. Not likely to happen in my lifetime. I have plans – things to do – a life to live’.
Until we come face to face with a drama that forces us to recognise it, we don’t even think about our own death, let alone the coming of the Son of Man. It is there, buried deep and not considered until we are forced.
The consequence of this attitude is that we tend to put off living our lives fully committed and engaged in ‘being Christ’ in the world to our family and neighbour.
Is there peace in my family – both my biological and church family? Am I doing unto others as I would have them do unto me? Is loving others the focus of my engagement, or do I prefer to judge? Do I regularly sit at Jesus’ feet and open my heart to his word?
There is a proverb, ‘Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today’. According to today’s text, we must not delay. We don’t know the time – there may not be a tomorrow.
We do, however, live confident of God’s love for us, his promise of mercy and grace – and that is both endless and timeless.
Through your Holy Spirit, Lord, awaken me to live as your child in the time you have given me so that others may see you in me and come to know the joy and peace of your love and forgiveness. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
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