How can Matthew 23:39 inspire us to anticipate Christ's second coming? The context of Matthew 23:39 “ For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ” (Matthew 23:39) • Jesus has just finished lamenting over Jerusalem’s unbelief. • He foretells a future moment when the city—and by extension Israel—will welcome Him with Psalm 118:26 on their lips. • The verse closes His public ministry before He moves to the Mount of Olives to teach on His return (Matthew 24 – 25). Christ’s visible return foretold • “You will not see Me again” treats His absence as real and temporary. • “Until” anchors a literal, future event when He will be seen. Compare Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7. • The blessing from Psalm 118:26 was shouted at His triumphal entry (Matthew 21:9). Its future repetition signals His second, triumphant arrival when faith has blossomed among His people (Zechariah 12:10). Calling on Jesus by name • “Blessed is He” shows recognition of Jesus as Messiah. • Romans 10:9-13 links confessing Him with salvation; Matthew 23:39 anticipates a national confession. • The verse intertwines personal preparedness with collective turning: both must welcome the King. Fuel for hope and expectancy • Promised sight of the risen Lord keeps believers looking upward (Titus 2:13). • The certainty of His appearing gives courage in trials: “When Christ appears, we may have confidence” (1 John 2:28). • Anticipation shapes priorities—nothing here is ultimate; everything orients toward that glorious unveiling (2 Peter 3:11-13). Motivation for evangelism • Jesus ties His return to a chorus of “Blessed is He.” • Sharing the gospel hastens the day when more lips are ready to bless Him (Matthew 24:14). • Romans 11:25-26 affirms a future ingathering of Israel; believers labor so Gentiles and Jews alike embrace the coming King. Invitation to worship and blessing • The phrase itself—“Blessed is He”—is doxology. • Practicing that blessing now tunes hearts for the day we see Him face-to-face. • Corporate worship becomes a rehearsal for His arrival (Hebrews 10:25; Revelation 5:9-10). Catalyst for holy living • Knowing “until” could end any moment, believers aim to be found faithful (1 John 3:2-3). • Paul ties the Lord’s descent with a call to comfort and purity (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 5:23). • Matthew 23:39 urges readiness in contrast to the hypocrisy Jesus condemned earlier in the chapter. Living in the “Until” Practical ways to embody expectancy: • Daily bless Jesus’ name—speak Psalm 118:26 aloud in worship. • Cultivate watchfulness: schedule regular readings of Matthew 24 – 25 and Revelation 19–22. • Engage in gospel witness to neighbors and the Jewish community alike. • Keep short accounts with God and people, pursuing holiness and reconciliation. • Encourage one another with the promise: “He is coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). Summary of takeaways Matthew 23:39 compresses promise, prophecy, and invitation. It tells us Jesus is physically returning, it prophesies a national and global recognition of His messiahship, and it invites believers to live in continual expectation—worshiping, witnessing, and walking in holiness until the day we finally echo, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” |
    |