Mark 13:24-37 (NRSV)
Read Mark 13:24-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24"But in those days, after that suffering,
Verse 28"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Verse 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Verse 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Verse 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Verse 32"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Verse 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. Verse 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Verse 35Therefore, keep awake-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, Verse 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. Verse 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
Devotion
Keep awake! At first thought it might seem to be an easy command. All we are asked to do is not fall asleep, but if the wait goes on too long we will inevitably nod off. You can only drive by an airport so many times and see the terrorist threat warning indicator before you no longer take it seriously. Likewise, we Christians may have been dulled by these words of Jesus. The urgency to be prepared fades, but the command remains. Keep awake!
What Jesus teaches us is not so much about our being prepared for his second coming, about to happen in some dramatic fashion with sun and moon and stars. Rather it is about our wide awake faithfulness as his disciples. It is about how ready we are to live the life of discipleship each day. Teaching, healing, forgiving, witnessing, these are our daily acts of discipleship. The important message remains, “Keep alert!” We keep alert when we live each day faithfully loving God and neighbor.
Prayer
Lord God, we want to be alert to your coming each day into our lives, especially as you come to us in the forms of the least of society and in most unexpected moments. Open our eyes Lord. We want to see you. Amen.