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In today’s passage, Jesus urges His disciples to stay alert
and be ready for His return, stressing the unpredictability of the timing. This
call to vigilance is not about waiting idly but living actively and faithfully,
reflecting our anticipation of His coming.
Jesus uses the metaphor of a household and its master to
illustrate the unpredictability of His return. Just as a servant must stay
awake and alert, not knowing when the master will come home, believers must
also remain spiritually awake and ready at all times.
This warning is part of the larger discourse in Mark 13,
known as the Olivet Discourse. Here, Jesus speaks to His disciples on the Mount
of Olives, teaching them about the signs of the end times and the destruction
of the Temple in Jerusalem. He underscores the necessity of being prepared for
these events since no one knows when the Master is coming.
To "fall asleep" spiritually means to become
complacent or indifferent in our faith. It signifies a lack of vigilance, a
drifting away from faithfulness, neglecting our spiritual duties, and being
unaware of "God’s clock" ticking. Falling asleep spiritually can lead
to a life dominated by worldly concerns, sin, and a disregard for God's
commands. Jesus' warning is a call to remain spiritually alive, alert, and
engaged in the work of the Kingdom.
Consider Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, "So then
let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober." This
echoes Jesus' exhortation, urging us to live differently from the world—being
spiritually awake and sober-minded. Our watchfulness should be evident in our
daily walk, mindful that our actions and attitudes matter.
Jesus’ exhortation in Luke 21:28 reminds us to keep our eyes
upward looking for the Master’s soon arrival. "Now when these things begin
to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Jesus’ words are both a warning and an encouragement. They remind us to stay
vigilant, hopeful, and actively engaged in our walk with Him, trusting that His
return will be at the perfect time and will be glorious.
May the Lord grant you the grace to remain vigilant and expectant. May your hearts be steadfast, your spirits unwavering, your lives a testimony to His imminent return, and your spiritual eyes always looking up.
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