WIDE-AWAKE WAITING
Opening Prayer
I praise You, Lord, for walking with me in this past week. I need You every moment.
Read Mark 13:28–37
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[a] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
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[b]! 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!’”
Footnotes:
a Mark 13:29 Or he
b Mark 13:33 Some manuscripts alert and pray
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How would you live today if Jesus were to return tomorrow?Jesus continues His description of the end times, now telling us not just what will happen but what we should do about it. First, we are to watch the signs (29), but be aware that we cannot know the precise timing (32). Secondly, we are to live as if He might come at any moment (33–37).
If Jesus was telling a parable like this (34–36) today, He might set it in a school classroom. Do you remember what would happen when the teacher left the room? Did everyone carry on working quietly? And do you remember the scramble to get back to your place, pen in hand and head down, as the teacher returned?
So what does it mean to “watch?” Obviously we can’t literally never sleep (36), but this passage does mean not postponing changes that we know God wants in our lives. Perhaps there’s a persistent sin that we keep telling ourselves we’ll deal with next week, when we’re not so tired or stressed. Or, perhaps it’s something we should be doing, like praying, offering to help someone, or serving in some way in our local church. Being God’s servant doesn’t just mean that we get our ticket to heaven, then do what we like; our Christian living should be an active day-to-day service.
Apply
Refer back to the “Reflect” question. What are some immediate changes you would make? What is a first step you can take now toward one of those changes?
Closing prayer
Jesus, I never want to take for granted that You may return at any time. Help me to be ready. Give me the strength to live for You.
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