The early church had a prayer that echoed through their gatherings, their worship, and even their suffering: “Maranatha!”—which means, “Come, Lord Jesus Come, Lord Jesus!” (1 Corinthians 16:22, Revelation 22:20).

They had walked with Christ. They had seen His glory. They had experienced the power of His resurrection, and every day they longed to see Him again. For them, life was not complete without His return. Their love for the Bridegroom was so strong that it shaped their entire worldview.

A bride who does not long for her groom is a bride whose love has grown cold. In the same way, a church that no longer longs for Christ’s return shows symptoms of love grown weak. And yet, love is the very foundation of the Kingdom—for “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Even when we were sinners, Christ loved us enough to die for us. When we receive this love, the natural response is to love Him dearly—and to love the people He died for.

The Cry of Maranatha and the Mission of the Church

The cry of Maranatha is not a passive longing; it is an active anticipation. Jesus Himself made it clear: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

We cannot expect Jesus to return while neglecting the mission He entrusted to us: to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). The church that prays “Come, Lord Jesus” while refusing to preach the gospel to its neighbors, to its city, and to the nations, prays in contradiction. The bride who longs for her Groom must also prepare herself by carrying out His final command.

Why House Churches Matter

The return to house churches is not just about form; it is about heart. The early disciples met in homes, broke bread, prayed, and went out boldly to proclaim Christ (Acts 2:42–47). Their meetings were small, but their vision was global.

House churches today must recapture that same spirit. They cannot afford to turn inward, becoming safe bubbles of fellowship without mission. A house church without outreach and discipleship is no better than the traditional institutional church it seeks to reform.

If the early church cried “Maranatha” daily, they also preached daily—from house to house, from village to village, even to the ends of the earth. The cry of the bride must be matched by the footsteps of the messengers.

Love That Compels Mission

Paul declared, “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14). True love for Jesus cannot remain private. It naturally overflows in witness. To love Him is to love the ones He died for.

This is why love and mission are inseparable. When house churches burn with love for Christ, they will also burn with love for the lost. Maranatha without mission becomes self-centered spirituality. Mission without Maranatha becomes dry activism. But when the two are united, the church becomes a living testimony of both longing and labor—waiting for the King while working in His harvest fields.

Finishing the Task, Welcoming the King

The cry of Maranatha will only be fulfilled when the task is finished. Every nation, every tribe, every people, and every language must hear the good news of Jesus. Revelation 7:9 gives us a picture of that completed mission—a multitude from all nations standing before the throne, worshiping the Lamb.

Until that day, our gatherings must be filled with both longing and labor. Every prayer, every fellowship, every meal shared in a house church must ask two questions:

1. Are we crying out, “Come, Lord Jesus”?
2. Are we reaching out, “Go, and make disciples”?

Only when these two walk hand in hand can the church truly prepare for her Bridegroom.

Conclusion: Rekindling the Cry

It is time to rekindle the Maranatha cry in the church—not as a mere word, but as a way of life. Let us be the bride who longs for her Groom, who carries His mission, who loves His people, and who labors until the task is done.

For when this gospel is preached to all nations, then the end will come.

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus. Until then, send us into Your harvest.