Daily Devotions

Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 290

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:-

1. Assault of powerful demonic forces.

2. The general weakness of sinful mankind (man is not typically “watchful”).