Keeping Watch

Keeping Watch

April 2004

Mark 13:32-37

I can remember once when I was a kid my oldest sister and brother-in-law came to visit us when they lived in Maine. My other sister and I sat and watched for them to come. It seemed like we were going to have to wait forever for them to arrive. It seemed like we sat on the watching for a long time. I can remember my Mom telling us to be patient because they would not arrive until the time was right.

The same is true of Jesus. We eagerly wait for His return and watch for Him to come but at times it seems like He is never going to get here. Jesus has always been true to His word and He is on His way.

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. "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. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: `Watch!’ " Mark 13:32-37

The promise that Jesus will one day return is one of the greatest sources of hope for us as Christians but it is also sometimes a bit frustrating as well. It is frustrating in the fact that we are still waiting and we are still watching for Him to come.

Let me give you a few suggestions about what you should do as you wait for Jesus.

Be faithful: Jesus said that even He does not know the day or the hour and if he doesn’t know it neither do any of the prophecy teachers on TV. Faith is the essence of what we hope for and the evidence of what we cannot see. Keep living out the faith that you accepted when you came to know Christ. Remember that Jesus has never broken a promise yet and He never will. If He said He would return than the day is coming when He will arrive.

Be diligent: Jesus will come unexpectedly, so be ready at any time to take the call of the Savior and go home with Him. Live each and every day like it is the day that Jesus will come back because it just might be today.

Be watchful: Jesus called His disciples to watch because He would be coming back but they would not know when. Jesus could come back mid afternoon, in the evening, in the middle of the night or early in the morning. When he comes will you be ready? Will He find you watching for Him or will He catch you off guard?