Today’s reading: Genesis 32-34, Psalm 145, and Mark 13
Do you wear a watch? Maybe an Apple watch? It is amazing what the device you wear on your wrist can tell you. You can find out exactly how you slept (or didn’t sleep) last night. You can learn about your heart and how it beats during different activities or while you are at rest. You can keep track of how many steps you take during the day. And, of course you can always keep track of exactly what time it is. It is pretty convenient to have all of this information right at your fingertips.
If only our watch could predict the future and tell us exactly the time Jesus will return to earth. In Mark 13 we read of all that will happen before Jesus returns to this earth. Reading through the verses we see that, “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken” (vs. 25). When this happens I am sure people will be scared and questioning what is going on. We of course do not know all the details, but Mark 13 gives us pretty good idea of the calamities that will take place. These events will be painful and challenging. It feels like there is no hope, until we get to verse 28.
“Learn this lesson from the fig tree; As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that he is near—at the door.
Mark 13:28-29
When the fig tree blooms, it signals that summer is near. After living through the dead of winter, it is always a blessing when summer comes upon us. The same will be true when the horrendous things happen around us, we need to remember that Jesus is near.
We do not have a watch to tell us when Jesus will return or when all these events will take place, but we are called to “be alert.”
Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!
Mark 13:35-36
Because Jesus is coming back we have hope. We do not have to worry or fear for the end of things and all that will take place. We are to “be alert,” to continue to seek Him daily and be ready, for nobody knows the time He may return.