But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
It amazes me how God knows how to give us just enough insight and information to allow us to know that He is present and aware while still requiring us to trust Him completely. What He tell us allows us to feel safe; we can know that He is in control and is with us. What He doesn’t tell us requires that we trust Him completely for our yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Preceding and proceeding this verse, Jesus gives the disciples indicators of His return. He is very clear, however, that no one will be able to tell the exact time.
The tension between what we know and do not know demands that we live in the present. To dwell on what little we know causes us to extrapolate meanings and predict outcomes without enough information to draw a proper conclusion. To dwell on all that we do not know spirals us into a place of fear, defeat, or overwhelming insecurity.
The present can feel like an impossible place to live, but we must. It is in the present where we humans meet with the eternal, limitless God.
How do we live in the tension between what is known and unknown? How do we rest in what He has said and trust who He is? We ask for help.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to ask Him to give you strength to wait or to rest in Him. Perhaps God wants you to remember what He has said. Maybe God wants you to be okay with what He hasn’t said. Perhaps God wants you to be present so that you can breathe in His presence.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 611–613, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 24:32–44).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).