32   "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33   Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come.

34   It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35   "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

36   If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.

37   What I say to you, I say to everyone: `Watch!'

The best way to deal with the unexpected is yo always be prepared.  People such as airline pilots, ship captains, fire fighters, police officers and business and sports professionals know first hand how true this statement is.  And, as this passage shows, It's true in the spiritual realm as well.

Before his death, Jesus clearly stated that he would return.  He also emphasized that nobody would know the exact time of his appearance.  So he urged his followers to always be alert and prepared for his return.  We do that by living with a conscious awareness that he could return at any moment.

This isn't to say that we should do right simply to avoid being caught red-handed.  As men of integrity, we must seek to follow Jesus' example and live godly lives at all times.  True, Jesus could physically return at any moment.  But at every moment, he is present with us through his spirit at work in our lives.  Make a commitment to live in the power of the Spirit, and you'll never have to worry about being caught off guard.