We often speak of being blindsided as though it excuses us. Life can surprise us from angles we never saw coming. Accidents happen. Loss arrives unannounced. Yet when it comes to the purposes of God, we are not left without warning. The words of Christ call us again and again to watchfulness, readiness, and honest faith. We may feel surprised, but we cannot say we were not told.
The risen Christ walked alongside two confused disciples on the road to Emmaus, and they did not recognise him. They spoke of shattered hopes, certain that death had the final word. They were blindsided by the resurrection, not because it was hidden, but because they had not truly grasped what had already been spoken to them. Even those closest to Jesus struggled to believe that God’s work could exceed their expectations.
Again and again, the Lord exposes the illusion that outward appearance or religious performance can conceal the truth of the heart. The wealthy made much noise as they gave from their abundance, but a poor widow quietly placed two small coins into the treasury. What she offered seemed insignificant, yet Jesus saw what others missed. She gave all she had, not to be noticed, but in trust. This gift could not be manufactured or imitated. It flowed from a heart fully yielded to God.
Others attempted to appear faithful while holding something back. The rich ruler longed for eternal life, yet turned away when asked to surrender what held his heart. He was not condemned for wealth, but for unwillingness. God cannot be deceived by careful obedience that stops short of full trust.
In contrast, Joseph of Arimathea stepped forward when hope seemed lost. At the moment of greatest risk, he offered what was most precious to him. In doing so, he revealed a faith that understood the moment. He was not caught unprepared, but acted decisively when it mattered most.
The call is clear. We are not asked to predict every turn of life, but to live ready. Ready to give. Ready to trust. Ready to let go when Christ calls. Nothing we possess can secure our future, except a heart freely given to the One who knows us fully. When that moment comes, whether at Christ’s return or our final breath, may we not be found clinging to what we no longer need, but waiting with open hands and steady faith.