Watch and Pray

Mark 13:32-37: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming; in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning; 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Jesus is continuing His talk about the Last Days. He is warning His disciples to pay attention to the signs of the times. He tells them that just like the fig tree that blooms its leaves and they know that summer is coming; it is just like the sign of the times that we should be able to read to know that the last days are near. He told His disciples they need to do a few things to prepare for these times. Jesus said, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

We will not know the exact time this will occur, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” The disciples were given instruction, they were told to take seriously the signs that would clearly take place. Jesus told them they should watch, pay attention, and make a conscience effort to “stay awake”, because when the master returns, He expects each of His workers to be working, and not sleeping. Are you asleep today? Are you just lingering through your life not concerned for the things of Christ? Maybe you are a Christ-follower who has taken your eyes off Jesus and are operating on your own strength and understanding, filling your life with inconsequential stuff, while there is plenty of work to be done.

Finally, Jesus told His disciples to pray. We as Christians are to pray that the end times come soon. This is our blessed hope to see Jesus face to face. We are to pray as He instructed us to pray, “Your kingdom come.” We are also to pray for wisdom and discernment, because these times will be like nothing we have ever experienced. We are close to the coming of Jesus, and we are to be ready because the Master of the house will be returning. How will He find His house? How will he find His servants?

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Deut. 17-19 New Testament Mark 14:1-25