Mark 13: Stay Awake!

Key Verse
35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
 
Meditation
Christians walk by faith, not by sight. In today’s reading, faith receives Jesus’ teaching on “the end of the age” as a message from our good and loving Father: the end is not defeat, but a new beginning. Our pain today is pregnant with hope for the fulfillment of God’s purposes.

“These are but the beginning of the birth pains…” (v. 8), Jesus says as He describes the hardships the world will endure. Today’s suffering is labor toward tomorrow’s joy! Yet the scope of Jesus’ teaching feels overwhelming to contemporary disciples as He weaves together both near and distant realities through integrating short-term and long-term prophecy and fulfillment (For specifics, see the EXTRA portion in this Matthew 24 meditation). Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple (fulfilled in AD 70), the suffering and persecution of His followers, the worldwide proclamation of the gospel, seasons of tribulation, and His own return as the Son of Man foretold in Daniel 7:13-14. Woven through these prophecies is a single, governing concern:
 
Jesus warns His disciples to watch for false teachers and to stay awake, alert and ready for His return.
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Christians must resist end-time arguments driven by speculation or misrepresentation of this text. The second coming of Jesus will arrive suddenly, ushering in the renewal of all things, new creation born from the birth pains of this age. Faith fixed on Jesus keeps us watchful and awake, focusing on God’s faithfulness, trusting His goodness, relying on His provision through the Holy Spirit, resting in His sovereign rule over history, and living in hope of the promised return of King Jesus.
 
Today’s Reading
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day or Hour
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you in today’s reading, especially the certainty with which Jesus predicts the future?
 
-Are you afraid of the future of the world generally and the situation for Jesus’ followers specifically? Why?
 
-How does knowing God is sovereign and good, that He gives His Spirit to His children, and that He has been faithful to His promises empower security and fuel your faith when you look at the pain and problems of the world and the uncertainty of the future?
 
-Jesus will come again and will make all things new, everything sad will become untrue. How does this truth anchor hope in your soul, giving strength for today and hope for tomorrow?
 
Key Verse
35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”