Mark 13 - What Does Jesus Mean When He Says, "Keep Watch?"
Verses of the Day
The Day and Hour Unknown
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]! 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 their 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!’”
Commentary
In Mark 13 Jesus has a conversation with four of disciples, Peter, James John, Andrew, about the end times when he will return in great and promised glory. His angels will gather his elect from the four ends of the earth and the four ends of heaven. Many will come claiming to be the Messiah, but they are only deceivers. When he returns it will be unmistakably clear.
Though Jesus explained some of the conditions which would be present and precede his second coming, he did not give any inkling as to when this would happen. But even though no one will know the day or the hour of his return, Jesus gave them clear instruction on how to be ready for the day.. He said "keep watch".
My first reaction is to think this might mean to sit back and watch everything unfold. After all, God is going to do what He is going to do. But we need to understand what these words "keep watch" meant in Jesus' day.
Commentators give many possibilities for what this word could mean in the context of what we call Jesus' Olivet Discourse. This is was Jesus' sermon on the Mount of Olives. It is recorded in all three "synoptic" gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It was likely preached on the Tuesday of Holy Week, as Jesus left the temple.
1.Stay Awake In spiritual terms this might mean avoiding complacency, or living like Jesus will never return. I.e. Falling asleep at the wheel. Keeping watch would then be to be doing the things Jesus told us to do as we await his return.
2. Spiritual Vigilance. Being careful not to fall into temptation. The devil is a liar and deceiver and is always trying to get us to fall away from Jesus. In fact, 1 Peter 5:8 says,
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
3. Analogy of Servant - Jesus tells us in the Parable of the Landlord, to always be ready for the master to return. Each of the servants will be judged based on the assigned work they have been given by the master. Watching is not passively "staring" but faithfully completing your assigned task.
Application
1. Are you ready for Jesus to return in terms of the three ways mentioned?
2. A good test might be does the thought or Jesus returning give you joy or fear? If you are doing the things he told us to do, you have no reason to fear!
3. If you are not ready for Jesus to return, what changes would you make to ensure you are ready?
Since we don't know the day or hour when he returns, don't you think that it would make sense to be ready at any time?
Prayer of the Day
Jesus, we do not know when you are going to return, but we want to be ready. Help us to intentionally focus on the things you called us and sent us to do. Help us to not get complacent but watch our life and doctrine closely. Thank you for the promise that it is You began a good work in us, and You will be faithful to complete it!" Amen.
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