For several days, I've been thinking about the Aramaic phrase, maranatha, which translates "Come, O Lord" and was used as a salutation by early Christians. Paul uses it at the end of 1 Corinthians and John probably refers to it at the end of Revelations.
"Maranatha" carries a beautiful sentiment. It's a gentle reminder that we're waiting for our Lord Jesus to come take us home, and that we shouldn't be too attached to the things of this world. As the Apostle Paul puts it, "What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away."
The phrase "maranatha" also reminds me of Jesus' parable of the ten virgins, where He exhorts us to be prepared for His second coming. By saying, "Come, O Lord," it's as though we're nudging one another to wake up and stay vigilant.
What things of this world have you been engrossed with, lately? Are you asking the Lord to speed His return?
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