It took twisted minds and unjust judgment to crucify the Son of God.  On the day of Pentecost, as Peter spoke to a massive crowd of Israelites, gathered at Jerusalem for the annual feast, he proclaimed, “Ye men of Israel hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs…ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22, 23).

It is a little ironic that the very ones who should have recognized and believed in Jesus were the ones guilty of rejecting Him and having Him crucified.  They should have known that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah because their scriptures foretold of and described Him.  Jesus once said to them, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

The Jews failed to follow the advice of Jesus.  They had him put to death rather than the murderer Barabbas (Matthew 27:15-26).  What a sad day it was when Jesus Christ was lifted up to suffer and die on the cruel cross of Calvary.

Thank God Jesus did not vanish in history after the cross.  The Bible affirms that Jesus was buried and resurrected from the dead on the third day.  After being seen by His apostles for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Jesus ascended on high to sit on His throne (Acts 1:1-11; 2:29-35).

The same Bible tells us that there will come a great day when Jesus returns to judge the world and deliver His kingdom to God (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:24).  In light of the fact that Jesus is someday going to return, how should we want to be found by Him when He comes? 

We should want to be found in Him 

This was how Paul wanted to be found.

Philippians 3:9 (ESV)
⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Paul realized that salvation is in Christ (2 Timothy 2:10).  Christ is to us what the ark was to Noah and the world of that day.  All in the ark were saved, but sadly, all who were outside the ark were lost.  Similarly, all in Christ are saved, while all outside are lost.

Being lost means eternal damnation.  It means weeping and gnashing of teeth forever and ever.  It means missing the eternal state of bliss awaiting the faithful.  No wonder Paul wanted to be found in Him and so should we.  Of course, to be in Christ is to be in His body, the church.  According to Galatians 3:27, one is baptized into Christ.  Have you been baptized?  If not, you are still outside the ark of safety.   If you have already been baptized, you must continue to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4). 

We should  want to be found walking in truth

John said in 2 John 4, “I rejoice greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth…”  What is truth?  Jesus tells us that it is the word (John 17:17).  The importance of continuing in the truth is seen in 2 John,

2 John 9 (ESV)
⁹ Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

The doctrine of Christ includes all of the teachings of Christ.  How to get into the church (believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized), is a part of the doctrine of Christ. How to worship God (observing the Lord’s supper, singing, praying, giving, teaching), is a part of the doctrine of Christ.

We must abide in these things, and we must do them according to God’s instructions.  I should also point out that the doctrine of Christ includes the teaching of Christ concerning our conduct.  Not only must we know what Jesus says about conduct, we must live accordingly.  We are not only to know the truth, but we must also walk in it.  If we do not live according to God’s word, we are not walking in truth.

We should want to be found prepared

We should all want to be found prepared when Jesus returns.  The Bible is filled with warnings for those who wish to be saved to watch and be ready.  The parable of the ten virgins is such a warning (Matthew 25:1-13).

Five of the virgins were wise and five were foolish.  The wise were such because they were prepared when the bridegroom came, for they had oil in their lamps and a little extra as well.  Thus, they were ready to go with him into the marriage.

The foolish were such because they were unprepared to meet the bridegroom when he came.  They had plenty of time, but for some reason, they did not take advantage of the opportunity to get prepared.  They brought no extra oil for their lamps.  So, when the oil they had ran out, they were forced to go out and buy more.  Unfortunately, when they returned from buying oil, it was too late.  The door which led into the marriage was shut for good.

In application of this parable, Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13).  So, let us make sure that we prepare ourselves now, while we have the chance, so that we will be found prepared when Jesus comes again.

How will you be found when Jesus returns?  The answer to that question will determine where you spend eternity