Watch And Work

WATCH AND WORK

TEXT: Mark 13:28-37

Mark 13:28-37 (KJV) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: [29] So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. [30] Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. [31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. [32] But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. [33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. [35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: [36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. [37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

I. INTRODUCTION—THE CONCLUSION OF THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

-This segment of Scripture comes to the conclusion of the Olivet Discourse. This was the last official word of the Lord before He went to the Cross. The account that we have been dealing with comes from the shortest of the three accounts.

-The Olivet Discourse is found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke but John does not give us a recording of it. With all of the terrible things that are coming to this world during the end of the days, Jesus brings to His disciples a very remarkable conclusion.

-He will end with two short parables.

• One about a fig tree.

• One about a householder who leaves his home to his servants.

• The fig tree is about watching.

• The householder leaving is about working.

• Both of these considerations are crucial to the Christian life: watching and working.

-If you look to Matthew’s Gospel, the last parable is very similar as it tells us the Lord has delayed His return. In that delay, the fellow servants abused each other and got caught up in drunkenness.

-If you take a look at the ending of the Olivet Discourse in Luke, the Lord tells us everything we need to know about our own human nature. There is a tendency for men to go to sleep spiritually, morally, and to go to sleep with their responsibilities of life.

II. WATCHING AND WORKING

A. Mark 13:28-32—The Fig Tree

Mark 13:28-31 (KJV) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: [29] So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. [30] Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. [31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. [32] But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. [33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

-The entire emphasis of this portion of the Olivet Discourse is for all of the Lord’s disciples to be able to see that there will be some signs or clues that point to His return.

-The words of the Lord now turn from prediction to admonition and instruction. This is very similar to what He has already done scattered throughout this sermon.

• v. 5—Take heed

• v. 7—Don’t be troubled

• v. 9—Take heed to yourself

• v. 11—Take no thought or do not plan

• v. 13—Endure to the end

• v. 21—Don’t believe the imposters

• v. 23—Take heed

-Now He comes to these words. . . Learn this parable!

-Most all are aware that when there is a budding forth of leaves or blooms on any tree or plant that we are aware that there will be fruit that will follow. The Lord was instructing the disciples that when they saw the events unfolding in Jerusalem that they could be sure that the return of the Lord was near.

-The Jews were very familiar with the use of the fig tree as an analogy of spiritual matters:

• Jotham used the fig tree in rebuking Israel for allowing Abimelech to become the bramble king—Judges 9:10-11

• Hosea used it to represent Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the patriarchs—Hosea 9:10