Isn't it interesting how much effort we put into keeping up with the latest trends? Whether it's the newest phone, the latest gadget, or even the newest fast-food offering, we often jump on board without hesitation. Even when our doctor reminds us to watch our diet, we still indulge — and yes, I do watch my diet… all the way to the table!
How about in the morning? Many of us set multiple alarms, hoping one of them will finally get us up. We trust those alarms, but somehow, the snooze button becomes our best friend. That little moment of delay might seem harmless, but it often reflects a deeper pattern — a tendency to postpone, make excuses, and choose comfort over commitment. Five more minutes turns into ten, then twenty, and before you know it, the whole day slips away. It’s a quiet, sneaky form of self-sabotage — convincing ourselves that there’s always tomorrow. But every delay is a choice, and each choice is a trade-off. The danger isn’t in one lazy morning; it’s in the habit of letting comfort win over calling. Catch yourself in those first five minutes — that’s where the real decision is made.
And isn’t that a picture of our spiritual lives too? We ask God for signs, direction, or a wake-up call — and when it comes, we hit the spiritual snooze button. We delay prayer, postpone obedience, and wait for a more convenient time to do His work. But when God says the time is near, that’s not permission to say, ‘I’ll think about it.’ It’s time to rise, shine, and act with joy and readiness.
Imagine hosting a dinner party. Everyone arrives on time except for that one friend who’s always late. You wait, reheat the food, and when they finally show up, they blame traffic or say they lost track of time. Everyone laughs, but something important was missed. Spiritually, we can be just like that — always running late for the things that matter most.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is asked a question by the Sadducees — a group of religious leaders who denied the resurrection. They posed a hypothetical situation about a woman who married seven brothers, each of whom died without children. Their question: ‘In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?’
At first glance, it seems silly. But Jesus uses it to reveal something powerful. He explains that in the resurrection, life won’t be like it is here. People won’t marry or be given in marriage. Those raised from the dead will never die again. They will be like the angels — not in form, but in nature — eternal and spiritual, children of God.
Jesus then points to Moses and the burning bush. God introduced Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — not as someone who was their God, but who is their God. That means they’re still alive in God’s presence. Jesus makes it clear: God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. To Him, all are alive.
This passage challenges us to think deeply about the resurrection and eternal life. It’s not just a theological concept — it’s the foundation of our hope. Without the resurrection, we have no future, no victory, no reason to press on.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19, ‘And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.’ Without the resurrection, our faith collapses. But because Jesus rose, our hope is alive and secure. It’s not about marriage or expectations; it’s about what God planned — defeating death, hell, and the grave.
1 Peter 1:3 says, ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’ That hope isn’t wishful thinking — it’s rooted in a risen Savior and points us to the coming Kingdom of God.
This Kingdom is not just a future destination — it’s a present reality that will be fully revealed when Christ returns. The resurrection is the gateway to the new creation, where righteousness dwells, where justice reigns, and where God will dwell with His people forever. This is the Kingdom Jesus preached — not of this world, but one that transforms it.
But hope alone is not enough. We are also called to readiness. In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus says, ‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch... So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.’
This is a call to spiritual alertness. We don’t know the day or hour — but we do know the importance of being prepared. There’s no snooze button on eternity. When the trumpet sounds, there will be no time left to delay or postpone the coming of Christ.
So the question is: Are we ready?
Just as we honor our Veterans on November 11 for their readiness to defend our nation, we must ask ourselves: are we ready to meet God? Are we truly prepared for Christ’s return and the coming of His Kingdom? This isn’t a time for hesitation or half-hearted living. Readiness isn’t a feeling — it’s a decision, a lifestyle, a commitment.
Here are some steps we can take to prepare our hearts and lives for Christ’s return:
1. Repent and Believe – Readiness starts with the heart. Turn from sin and trust in Jesus Christ. If you haven’t made that decision, don’t wait. Today is the day of salvation.
2. Stay Spiritually Awake – Just like we set alarms to wake up physically, we need spiritual disciplines to stay alert. Prayer, reading the Word, and fellowship keep us tuned to God’s voice.
3. Live with Eternal Perspective – This world is not our home. Don’t get too attached to temporary things. Let eternity shape your daily choices.
4. Serve Faithfully – Jesus said the faithful servant is the one found doing the Master’s will when He returns. Use your time, gifts, and resources to serve others and build His Kingdom.
5. Share the Hope – The resurrection is good news for the world. Don’t keep it to yourself. Share the hope of Christ with boldness and love.
6. Watch and Pray – Jesus emphasized these two actions often. Watching keeps us alert; praying keeps us connected to God’s heart.
7. Walk in Holiness – We’re called to reflect Christ’s character. Holiness isn’t outdated — it’s essential. Let your life stand as a testimony of God’s grace.
Friends, let’s not be found sleeping when the most important moment in history arrives. Let’s be found ready — not in fear, but in faith; not in panic, but in peace. We serve the risen King who conquered death, and because of Him, we can face the future with confidence.
The resurrection is not just a memory — it’s a promise of what’s to come. That promise demands our full attention. It calls us to live with urgency, purpose, and joy. It calls us to live as citizens of the Kingdom that is coming — where Christ reigns forever.
So let’s wake up, rise up, and be ready. Jesus is coming — and we want to be found watching, waiting, and working when He returns.
As we reflect on the urgency of readiness and the hope we have in the resurrection, I want to speak directly to anyone who has not yet decided to follow Jesus Christ.
Friend, this message is for you too. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, ‘Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.’
Jesus came to this world, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins and mine, and rose again in victory over death. That resurrection is not just a past event — it’s the doorway to eternal life for all who believe.
If you’ve been hitting the spiritual snooze button, waiting for a better time, or thinking you need to fix yourself first — hear this: you don’t need to have it all together. Just come. Come with your doubts, your struggles, your brokenness — and receive the grace only Jesus can give.
Repent of your sin. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. Confess Him as your Savior, and you will be saved.
If you’re ready to make that decision, don’t delay. Pray and invite Jesus into your heart. Talk to a pastor, a friend, or a believer you trust — and let them walk with you on this new journey of faith.
Jesus is coming. Let today be the day you say yes to Him — and be ready, not just for His return, but for the new life He offers you now. The Kingdom is coming. Be ready to enter it with joy.