What Jesus Did! 'When You Don't Expect Him' — Matthew 24:42-44

Friday, November 14, 2025

[Talking about the end time, Jesus continued:] "So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."
— Matthew 24:42-44 NLT

Key Thought

It is so easy for us to get caught up in all the things that slow us down in life. There are always bills to pay, schedules to keep, struggles to overcome, difficulties to navigate, families to feed, and jobs to do. We can so easily get caught up in the mundane chores of these things that we lose sight of our glorious hope on the horizon. Since it seems so long ago to us that Jesus lived and died, we can easily lull ourselves into thinking that he won't return in our lifetime, much less at any moment. We lose our sense of urgency, passion, and expectation. Jesus wants us to always be ready - to live with expectation. He is forever at the door just beyond our boundaries of space and time waiting to usher in his fulfilled Kingdom in power and glory. Our job is not to know the day this will happen, but to be ready any day it may occur and to live our lives full of good deeds and holy anticipation of its certain coming!

Today's Prayer

O Lord and Master, I want to be prepared and waiting when you come. Please quicken my heart with your Spirit so that I can be alert and ready, anticipating your great victory and longing for your great triumph when you come. Father, please also use me to help prepare others with an eagerness and excitement about your Son's return in glory with the mighty angels. May we, the church of this generation, be ready when the day of victory, rejoicing, and triumph occurs. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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2 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 24:42-44 NLT — "So you, too, must keep watch!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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