DON’T BE SURPRISED
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Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in me. Use the things I read in Scripture today to build my faith and strengthen my walk with Jesus.
Read MARK 13:32–37
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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[a]! 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
- 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
Look at your to-do list for today. What are you hoping for, fearing, anticipating, and ready for?
I need to look at my diary every morning. It’s important to me that I have some idea of the shape of events for the coming day, because I’m not very good at improvising. Surprises make me panic, freeze, or respond in an inappropriate fashion. I so wish I could make a note of ‘that day or hour’ (v. 32) Jesus speaks of, when we shall see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory’ (v. 26). I’d be ready, dressed in my best, Bible in one hand, the other raised in worship. I really would, if the date was in my diary. But that’s not how it will be.
In a short parable similar to that of the talents,1 Jesus describes the life of a believer as one of ceaseless vigilance. However, he doesn’t mean a life lived on the edge of panic. Instead, it’s a life in which we fulfill our necessary daily responsibilities, not just in practical terms but in spiritual terms. If we require a template for this, maybe a look back at the reading on April 3 (‘The Planes of Love’) would be in order.2 To love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves day by day is what the ‘owner of the house’ (v. 35) requires.
The importance of maintaining this vigilance is shown by the three imperatives Jesus uses: ‘Be on guard! Be alert!’ (v. 33); ‘Watch!’ (v. 37). (Squirrel these requirements away until we meet them again in the Garden of Gethsemane.) Before we, as onlookers, begin to make judgments on the four disciples who are present on both occasions, take note of Jesus’ final words—this applies to everyone! A somber yet thrilling thought as we accompany them back down from the Mount of Olives.
Apply
Pray for the doorkeepers. Church leaders often feel responsible for the whole house. Pray that this burden may be light and that they, too, may receive your neighborly love.
Closing prayer
Jesus, as I watch for your return, help me to wait in ways that please you, in ways that bring you glory.
1 Matt 25:14–30; Luke 19:11–27 2 Mark 12:28–34
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