Keep Awake and Stay Calm

32 However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will

happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the

Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come,

be on guard! Stay alert! 34 The coming of the Son of Man can be

illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left

home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they

were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.35 You,

too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the

household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or

at daybreak. 36 Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives

without warning. 37 I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for

him! --Mark 13:32-37

The people of Israel waited a long time for the coming of Messiah.

He finally came into this world as a baby who grew into a dynamic

figure and gave his life for our redemption. And now we await His

return. The words that Jesus shared in this passage may well reflect

the way that some of the Jews spent their time as they waited for the

coming of Messiah. They may have missed opportunities to prepare

or serve and were surprised by His coming.

Today we can see this teaching as either warning or encouragement,

but I choose to see these words as encouragement and instruction as

we anticipate His return. The servants in the passage have been

entrusted by the master of the house with certain responsibilities.

No one is looking over their shoulders, so they may choose to “sit it

out” and just coast until the master returns. The implication of Jesus’

teaching, however, is that the servants should make the most of the

opportunity. They can be faithful to the tasks which the master has

assigned, using this as a chance to exercise their giftedness and thus

honor the master.

How does this apply to us? While we await the Lord’s return, do we

just coast along or do we use our gifts and talents to seize on the

opportunities for ministry that are placed before us? When the

Master returns, will He find us faithful or faithless? As you pray

today, ask God to open your eyes to ways that you may love and

serve those around you, exercising the gifts God has given to you.

(Written for the Advent Booklet of Englewood Baptist Church, Gladstone, MO.)

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