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Journey to Bethlehem Day 13

Friday, December 11 2 Peter 3:14-18


14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.


Life is full of waiting. We are constantly waiting for something: summer vacation or graduation, a promotion or a better job, a wedding or the birth of a child. The list goes on and on, and the life of a Christian is no different.


But our expectant hope is something far more significant than anything that the world awaits. We await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he will bring to completion his victory over sin, death, and the powers of evil. We look forward to his triumphant return when all things will be made new.


As we contemplate the meaning of Advent, Peter’s words in today’s reading remind us that we are not awaiting Jesus’ birth; we are watching for his return, and we must not wait idly. We must take care to be prepared for that day.

 


We cannot allow ourselves to fall into sinful patterns of living or to be deceived by false teachers. We must not allow bitterness or unforgiveness any place in our hearts, but we must do everything we can to reconcile and be at peace with others.


In our waiting we are called to live in such a way that we are growing daily in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This does not mean merely to learn more about Him, but to truly know Him and to experience His grace.


It means that we are to take our place in the gospel story alongside the lepers and the prostitutes, the tax collectors and Pharisees. By living with Him now we will be prepared for his return.


Lord Jesus, we eagerly await your returning in glory. Strengthen us and preserve us, and turn our hearts to you now, that we might experience more of your grace, know you more intimately, and daily grow in your likeness. Amen.