Matthew 24:44 Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes. A ship in a port, with all its provisions and sails and men on board, is in one sense of the word, "ready" — ready for sea; but it may not be "ready " in the sense this text enjoins. Its sails must be in their places, its anchor must be up, every man must be at his post: then it is actually ready for the ocean and its storms. Let the command come, and in a minute or two it is disengaged from the fastenings that held it, lies down to the breeze, and without hurry or alarm is gone. And this is the readiness our Lord has here in His mind — a state of actual readiness, preparedness of mind and heart. (C. Bradley.) I. A CALL TO A STATE OF PREPARATION. The readiness to which we are called is a state that will give us admission to Paradise. The qualification for such a distinction and privilege is — 1. The possession of Christian acceptance and holiness. 2. A faithful and assiduous fulfilment of trust. Trusts of the most important kind are committed to man, for which he is accountable and responsible. 3. Habitual watchfulness. II. OUR LORD ENFORCES THIS CALL BY THE DECLARATION OF AN IMPRESSIVE FACT. 1. The coming of the Son of Man. 2. The purposes of His coming. 3. Man's ignorance of the period of His coming. (J. Rattenbury.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.WEB: Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come. |
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