Daily Devotions
Mark
Acts 2:47 "...praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:47"
Day 290 – Mark 13
“…praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47
APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE
Assuming clear understanding, Jesus applied the parable to His Disciples.
“Watch therefore, for you do not know when
the master of the house is coming-
in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster,
or in the morning-
lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
MARK 13:35-37
A CALL TO BE WATCHFUL
Jesus repeated Himself four times, on this matter of being watchful.
“Watch out for yourselves…” Mark 13:9
“Take heed, watch and pray” Mark 13:33
“Watch therefore…” Mark 13:35
“Watch!” Mark 13:37
Obviously, Jesus was very serious about being watchful. What was he trying to emphasise? The following must be highlighted:-
1. Watch out for Deception (Mark 13:5-6, 21-23)
2. Watch out that we do not become troubled in heart (Mark 13:7-8)
3. Watch out about becoming worried because of possible persecution (Mark 13:9-13)
4. Watchfulness is to be accompanied by prayerfulness (Mark 13:33)
5. Watchfulness is enjoined with reference to serving faithfully (Mark 13:35-37)
6. Watch out for spiritual indolence [“sleep”] (Mark 13:36)
7. Watching out with great and eager hope for the Return of Christ (Mark 13:26-27)
UNDERLYING DANGERS
Jesus’ emphasis on the need to be watchful may have been made to address two underlying dangers:-