“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:32-37 NIV
We may be living in the generation that has the privilege of being alive when Jesus returns! No one, except the Father, knows when that day he will come, but Jesus wanted to be sure his closest followers would be ready when it does. When Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus about the timing of his return, the verses above are part of his answer. His main point was this, “Don’t let him find you sleeping.” So what does that mean? Perhaps a statement that Jesus made, and Luke recorded, can shed some light.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” Luke 21:34 NIV
Jesus names two things that will effectively lull us to sleep: sin and preoccupation with the worries of life. Let’s start with sin. Where is our focus when we engage in sinful behavior? It’s not on Jesus! It’s on ourselves. The Bible is clear that Jesus will come in an instant, when life is moving along and we’re not expecting him. Let’s make sure that when he comes, we’re not engaging in sin and that day close on us suddenly like a trap!
Then there’s the worries of life; nothing can distract us more! It’s easy to become preoccupied with the corona virus, the upcoming election, racial tensions, work, financial concerns, health issues….the list goes on and on. We can get so caught up in these things that we stop watching for the return of the Lord. We focus on the news, rather than his Word. We spend time fretting about these things rather than praying. We work, work, work, giving our best to our employers, but not to the building of God’s kingdom. Our focus shifts and we fall asleep spiritually. Jesus is coming for those who are watching for him. Stay focused! Stay awake!
Jesus told a parable to help us understand what we should be focused on while we wait for his return. Luke recorded it in Luke 19.
He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ ” Luke 19:12-13 ESV
The story goes on to tell us when the king returned he found that each servant presented him with a different return on his money. Jesus commends each servant until he comes to the servant who chose to store away what the king had given him, instead of using it. God has given each of us talents, skills, abilities, resources and time so we can effectively impact this world for his glory. We are well equipped to bless others in his name, to point people toward God and to demonstrate righteous living. That’s the work Jesus wants us dong.
The only reason God delays sending Jesus back is because he is giving people more time to be saved. It’s our job to tell them the good news and to live in such a way that they, too, will want to follow Jesus. That’s how we engage in business until he comes. Each day we must focus on the goal of reaching the lost and encouraging believers to stay the course.
2020 has been a hard year, but we must not let the worries of life distract us nor can we turn to the pleasures of sin to ease the pain. Make no mistake, Jesus is coming back. He might come today! Will he find you sleeping or doing his work while you watch for his return?