[But the day of the Lord] will come like a thief.
Summary: Phrases like today’s passage are a mystery to some, a point of ridicule for others, and for us who believe, a warning.
What is the best way to teach someone something? Is it better to tell them what you want them to know, or show them? Is it better to give instructions or ask questions?
People learn not by being told but by being shown. We are challenged to think, not by being given words to swallow like so much medicine, but by being asked questions.
Jesus knows this.
He also knows, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1: 7)
One day, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” (Matthew 13: 10) Jesus answers with a passage from Isaiah the prophet (Matthew 13: 11-17). He seems to say that parables are a kind of code. Proverbs calls them “the sayings and riddles of the wise.” (Proverbs 1: 6)
Jesus used wheat as a metaphor for those who believe in him and would see salvation (Matthew 3:12, 13: 24-30, Luke 3:17, Luke 22: 21, John 12:24). One indication that a person is wheat is their hunger for knowledge and willingness to accept wisdom and instruction.
For those of us who fall into this category, we accept things that sound silly, like “come like a thief,” and look for the meaning behind the saying.
What is the meaning here?
The metaphor, “come like a thief,” occurs several times in Scripture. Proverbs uses it twice in this form:
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:11, 24:34)
This passage from Proverbs uses two types of theft. One is taking someone’s property by stealth, the other by force. When an “armed man” comes, he does not care if it is day or night. He comes and takes what he wants because he can. His weapons are his protection.
A thief is different. The thief may or may not have weapons of war, but they always have the weapon of stealth. A thief takes things without people knowing it, usually at night.
Jesus explains more about this when he says:
“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 and would not have let his house be broken into.” (Matthew 24: 43)
In this example, the motivation of the owner is the fear of being robbed. He wants to protect his belongings. A different motivation is closer to what Peter has in mind. Jesus explains this plainly to his disciples:
“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 and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24: 42-44)
Peter has been summing up his letter to us. He points to the positive instruction he has given us and the judgment of God as recorded in the Old Testament. He tells us that God is patient. In all of this, he explains why the Lord has not yet arrived. Yet, one day, he will come!
How will the Lord come? Will there be advance notification? Will there be a warning of any kind?
No.
The Lord comes when he comes. Without warning.
Application: Be as ready as you can be. All day, every day.
Food for Thought: John’s Gospel tells us that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). How is Judas a metaphor for the Lord’s coming?
I think Jesus coming like a thief is different than Judas being one. Jesus coming like a thief in the night means we do not know the timing. It will be a surprise. Although for His children who are looking for Him and are ready, it will not be like the unbelieving world which is completely unprepared and will enter the wrath of the tribulation. Jesus is telling us to be ready. Matthew 25: 1 – 13; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 – 11. Judas in the other hand, was just a thief.
Rich,
I certainly agree with you about the differences between Jesus’ second coming “like a thief” and Judas being a thief. But is there more on this bone to chew on? 🙂
Personally, I don’t think there is anything to chew on here but pure speculation. But I could be wrong. Although my opinion may not be popular, the devotion was excellent. Thank you.
Well, just to be clear, I don’t have a bone to pick with you about this. 🙂
I might also note that I have a “tendon”-cy to overthink things which could explain my earlier comment. 🙂
Besides, there is no other “joint” on the internet where we can have these kind of conversations! 🙂
You are hilarious. I am not trying to make some big statement either 😊. The devotion was excellent. The question is interesting. I’ll wait and see what I can learn from other’s comments… besides puns that is 😉.
I’m going to try and answer this morning’s question; if I’m off base, I’d appreciate a push in the right direction. 🙂 I had to to do a lot of research on Judas this morning, but I learned a few things I didn’t know or realize before (background, motives, expectations). Despite Judas’s shortcomings as a person, he played a big role in the fulfillment of prophesy and crucifixion of the Savior. He was a thief, not just because he stole from the “treasury,” but because his “thieving heart” was always ready to act when the opportunity presented itself. He lived among Jesus and the disciples, yet there was no persuading him from his ways. Like the Lord’s coming, it is ever present, waiting for the opportunity (God’s command), and never changing.
Chris,
There is no “off base” here! We are all learning. My job is to ask questions that get us to do what you are doing; think! So your response is completely “on base!”
It is interesting, as you point out, that the “thief” lived among Jesus and his disciples.
John says he was a thief and took what he wanted from their common purse (John 12:6). Imagine the stupidity and arrogance of living with a man who knows what is in other people’s hearts and thoughts and still thinking you can get away with stealing right under his nose!
If I am looking for an allegory in Judas, it is mankind’s blindness to the reality of God.
In this way, Judas is a kind of double metaphor. He represent’s man’s blindness, and he lived out the result of that blindness when the day of the Lord came upon him and he realized what he had done (Matthew 27: 3-5).
I see, thank you. I did definitely learn a lot from todays question.
Well, Judas had to be sneaky, greedy, manipulative, and lie to meet the definition of thief. But even his betrayal was not a surprise because Jesus told his disciples it was happening just before it happened, both at the passover meal and just before Judas comes to sell Him out. I think thief and thief in the night are two different descriptions.
Jesus’ second coming, no one is getting advance notice with a “Jesus is about to come again” in fact we’re told not to listen to those people because only God the Father will know before He says “Go” to Jesus. He hasn’t lied about anything or been sneaky, but open about what happens in the end times. And He’s certainly not greedy, but generous with how much TIMe He’s given us before He comes.
A thief in the night, no one expects when it happens, and things are just suddenly different. That is what both Jesus and Peter are describing the second coming as being.
A-
Well done! His betrayal was not a surprise to Jesus, but it was to the other disciples (John 13: 27-30). So this illustrates our limited human perspective well. Thank you!
12-30-2021, 2 Peter 3:10b, How is Judas a metaphor for the Lord’s coming?
The disciples were in a spiritual high place. They had just witnessed the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem. Celebrated the passover together, doubted the truth when they were told one of them would betray Jesus. They sang praises to God and went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus asked 3 to keep watch while He prayed. Their stomachs were full, their minds were full of good memories, spirits were high, and they denied truth and took a nap when asked to stay awake.
Then, like a thief in the night, Judas appeared with Temple guards to take Jesus. Only Jesus was prepared for their coming, and we are prepared to the degree we become more Christlike.
God wants all to come to him before it is too late. He uses virgins, servants, goats, sheep, Judas, and more as He seeks to help us understand the seriousness of our current situation. Time is limited, we only get this one opportunity to accept, grow in and serve Jesus. We are by nature always planning for, living in the future when we may only live another 10 minutes.
Many are just like the disciples of Jesus. Clearly told the truth, given specific instructions, and rather than believe and live in obedience to our Lord, we surrender to our human side and take a nap. The Lord is going to come while many are taking a nap.
Matthew 25:1-13, We have 10 virgins, 5 had no oil in their lamps and were not able to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:14- 30, Two of three servants act wisely with what they have been given, and receive reward. The worthless servant is thrown into utter darkness.
Matthew 25:31- 46, The Lord seperates goats from the sheep.
Matthew 7:21-27, Many call Jesus Lord, but he doesn’t know them.
Wow Ron, nicely done!
I especially like your point that Jesus was ready when the thief came and that we are more ready the more Christlike we are.
I have to remember no more naps. Everything here is good. I have nothing to add.
Ha! Very funny, Tim.
Perhaps the Lord is more worried about our “lapse” than our “naps.”
🙂