“And to wait for His son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus Christ, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonias 1:10)
One of the clearest marks of someone who has truly received the gospel is that they can’t wait to see Jesus. Think about a dog waiting for its master to come home, looking out the window with eager anticipation. That’s the kind of longing a converted heart has for Jesus. When you fall in love with Jesus, you don’t just believe in Him as a historical figure or a good teacher. You want to see Him face to face. You live with the constant awareness that He’s coming back, and that changes how you live today.
This anticipation isn’t passive waiting. It’s active, hopeful expectation that shapes your priorities, your decisions, and your daily life. When you really believe Jesus is coming back, you live differently. You invest in what matters eternally. You share the gospel more freely. You forgive more quickly. You hold material things more loosely. The Thessalonians didn’t just believe Jesus rose from the dead as a theological concept. They believed He was coming back for them, and it filled them with joy and purpose even in the middle of persecution. How much does the return of Jesus actually influence the way you live today?
Reflect:
- If you knew Jesus was returning tomorrow, what would you do differently today?
- How can anticipating Christ’s return shape your daily decisions and priorities this week?
- Ask God to deepen your love for Jesus so that anticipating His return becomes a joyful reality that shapes how you live.
