Ready Or Not, Here I Come

"And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." - Matt 24:4-8

On the calendar Thursday, March 20th will be the first ay of spring. That is the day the sun and the earth's equator will align and signal winter has ended. To the careful observer there have been signs of spring appearing for weeks. Temperatures changing, birds chirping and starting to build nests, daylight getting longer, grass turning green, a close look reveals the redbuds and dogwoods recognize what time of year it is, and the mushrooms will soon be popping up. There are signs all around us and the closer it gets the more evident the signs become. Winter might try to hang on with a late season snow or frost, this is a temporary deception to the reality that soon ready or not Spring will be here and summer will be knocking on the door.

Just as the earth undergoes predictable seasonal changes, so too we are experiencing shifts that point to larger, more significant events. Jesus, in Matthew 24, gave his followers a glimpse into these future signs, warning them to be watchful and prepared. His words, like the subtle changes that herald the arrival of spring, offer a framework for understanding the times we live in.  

The passage begins with a strong warning against deception. Jesus knew that many would try to mislead people, claiming to be the Christ or offering false teachings. This is akin to a late winter frost, a temporary illusion that might trick us into thinking spring is not coming. We must remain alert, discerning truth from falsehood, just as we learn to recognize the genuine signs of spring amidst fleeting cold spells.  

Next, Jesus spoke of wars, rumors of wars, and nations rising against nations. These are not new occurrences, but Jesus indicated they would increase in frequency and intensity. We see these events happening in our world today. Just as the lengthening days and warming temperatures become more pronounced as spring approaches, so too do these global conflicts become more evident. These are not just random events; they are part of a larger pattern, a signal that something significant is unfolding.  

Furthermore, Jesus mentioned famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. These natural disasters, like the budding of dogwoods and redbuds, are undeniable signs. They are not isolated incidents but part of a larger picture, a collective “beginning of sorrows.” These are the collective signals of change, much like the greening of the grass and the chirping of birds, and emergence of mushrooms announce the arrival of spring.  

The key is to be a “careful observer,” as the text suggests. Just as we notice the subtle changes in nature, we must also pay attention to the signs Jesus described. We cannot ignore the increasing chaos and suffering around us, nor can we be lulled into complacency by false prophets or temporary periods of calm. These are all part of the process, just as the gradual warming of the earth leads to the full bloom of spring.

The message is clear: just as spring arrives inevitably, so too will Jesus return. Whether we are ready or not, the appointed time will come. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared, like someone who ignores the signs of an approaching storm. Instead, we must embrace these signs as a call to action, a reminder to strengthen our faith and live in readiness.

The world around us is speaking, if we choose to listen. The signs are there, in the chaos and the beauty, in the suffering and the hope. We must not ignore them, but rather recognize them for what they are: a clear and urgent alert. Jesus is coming, and it is time to be prepared.