Daily Bread Mark 13
Daily Bread Mark 13
32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert[l]!
34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
Observation:
Jesus gives the disciples a foretelling of the future. He reminds them to not put their trust in buildings, but in things that will survive the end times. He gives several examples of what things will happen in the end times. Many have tried to understand how this would link to current events. The whole study of end times is called “eschatology”. “Eschaton” means end times.
Importantly Jesus gives us several principles to live by, so as to not get caught up in the latest end-times prediction. First he says, that no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen not even him. So it really makes no sense to try and predict when this is going to happen.
Second he tells us to “be alert” and ready for His return. Jesus doesn’t want us to play the, “Well I’ll have fun and then clean up my act when I think is going to come back” routine.
Finally, he tells us to keep “watch”. I don’t think this is a worrisome, “when is he going to come back kind of watch”. I think it is an expectant watch, which is ready and prepared for whenever he chooses to return.
Application:
Instead of spending our time worrying about when Jesus is going to return, it would make more sense to be about the things that show that we are ready when he does return. Ironically when we have prayer vigils, we call them a “prayer watch”. Being in a person of prayer is certainly a great way to be alert.
As we continue to build our intimacy with Christ through prayer, reading His Word and spending time in solitude and listening, we boost our spiritual readiness for when Jesus does return. These also keep us from falling asleep, spiritually speaking.
Prayer: Make us ready God to be prepared for whatever you would bring our way. Make us steadfast and immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord. This foundation will withstand any storm or fire because it is built on your eternal Word which will endure forever. Amen.
32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert[l]!
34 “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
Observation:
Jesus gives the disciples a foretelling of the future. He reminds them to not put their trust in buildings, but in things that will survive the end times. He gives several examples of what things will happen in the end times. Many have tried to understand how this would link to current events. The whole study of end times is called “eschatology”. “Eschaton” means end times.
Importantly Jesus gives us several principles to live by, so as to not get caught up in the latest end-times prediction. First he says, that no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen not even him. So it really makes no sense to try and predict when this is going to happen.
Second he tells us to “be alert” and ready for His return. Jesus doesn’t want us to play the, “Well I’ll have fun and then clean up my act when I think is going to come back” routine.
Finally, he tells us to keep “watch”. I don’t think this is a worrisome, “when is he going to come back kind of watch”. I think it is an expectant watch, which is ready and prepared for whenever he chooses to return.
Application:
Instead of spending our time worrying about when Jesus is going to return, it would make more sense to be about the things that show that we are ready when he does return. Ironically when we have prayer vigils, we call them a “prayer watch”. Being in a person of prayer is certainly a great way to be alert.
As we continue to build our intimacy with Christ through prayer, reading His Word and spending time in solitude and listening, we boost our spiritual readiness for when Jesus does return. These also keep us from falling asleep, spiritually speaking.
Prayer: Make us ready God to be prepared for whatever you would bring our way. Make us steadfast and immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord. This foundation will withstand any storm or fire because it is built on your eternal Word which will endure forever. Amen.
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