Friday, September 25, 2015

Mark 13:34-37 -- On Watching for the Lord

"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.
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:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:34-37


This is an interesting analogy here... that Christ's coming is like a man taking a distant journey who left his servants in charge and told them to be ready for his return.  It reinforces the idea that we are doing all of this for God, which I think is important, since the pride that leaks in when we think that we are in charge often gets us into trouble.  It also emphasizes the fact that we don't have a specific timeline.  We don't know that Christ is coming in exactly 15 years, 3 months, and 2 days.  If we did, we'd probably slack off for at least the 15 years, and then try to cram all our repentance and preparation into those 3 months and 2 days.  This way, we need to always be ready, waiting and watching for our Lord's return... and even though that means we don't have a set time to be lazy, which in a way is a drag, it also means that our lives will be infinitely better.  If the Lord does come tomorrow, will be ready?  Maybe not, but we can start now, and get ready as fast as we can, hoping that we have the time... and that we aren't caught too late like 5 of the ten virgins, who didn't worry about preparations until it was too late.  If we get ready, and stay ready, than we'll have the spirit with us more strongly, we'll be more compassionate, more righteous, more prepared, more humble, faithful, repentant... and all of these things will help us face whatever comes.  If the Lord comes, we'll be ready for that because we're watching for the signs.  And if something else happens instead, we'll be ready for that too.  Food storage can help us through disasters of all kinds.  Knowing the gospel can help us overcome whatever obstacle.  If we're ready for God, we're ready for anything. :)
Today, let's watch.  And let's be prepared.

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