The Day Jesus Returns

He promised that he would return. Not to build a kingdom of gold or to sit on a throne, but to bring people home to himself.

When that day comes, no one knows. Not the angels, not he himself — only the Father.

Before that day the world is restless. There are wars, hunger and fear. People rise up who claim to speak in his name, but whose hearts are cold. And the love of many has grown cold.

And then he comes. Not in secret. As lightning lights up the night from the east to the west, so everyone will see it. A trumpet sounds, and he comes on the clouds, wrapped in light.

But he does not go first to the greatest cathedral, the most beautiful mosque, the richest synagogue or the highest temple. He does what he always did: he stands up for the people no one sees.

• He stands up for the man who sleeps on the street in the cold.
• He stands up for the woman everyone condemns.
• He stands up for the child who has never heard that it is loved.
• He stands up for the refugee who cannot find a home anywhere.
• He stands up for the one who lost his faith, because the people who spoke about God hurt him.

He does not ask them: what is your religion?He asks: where does it hurt?

He brings Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and people without faith together at one long table. Not to take away their books or beliefs, but to let them see each other as they are: as human beings.

Then he looks at the religious leaders and the teachers of the law and asks them:

"Why do you defend your rules and dogmas with so much fire, yet never look at the hungry at your door? When did the stone building and the title become more important than the person who walks into it?"

Golden ceilings, great words and full halls do not impress him. He looks at how the weakest were treated.

He comes to judge the power that tramples the small, the wealth that forgets the poor, and the lie that dresses itself up as truth. What counts in his eyes is not your church, your label or your religion. The only thing that counts is what was done to the least.

He says to them: I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. I was lonely, and you came to find me.

Surprised, they ask him: when, Lord? And he answers them: whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.

On that day, everything hidden in the dark comes into the light. The wolves in sheep's clothing are exposed — those who used his name to gain power, but never knew his love. They will say: Lord, did we not preach in your name? And he will answer: I never knew you.

And he brings everyone back to the simplicity of what he always said:

Love. Forgive. Be merciful. Be humble. Care for one another.

He looks at the whole world and asks one question:

"For centuries you have fought over my name. But have you also lived by my love?"

And in that light, all the quarrelling falls away.

Then God the Father fulfils His oldest promise. He restores everything.

It was never about who was right. It is about who loved.