THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:32-37
“If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:36)
Have you heard the phrase ‘sleeping on the job’?
Usually this doesn’t happen when the boss is watching.
We are Jesus’ servants, put in charge of His kingdom until He returns.
Each one of us is gifted for an assigned task, and He is counting on us to do it.
We have been ‘graced’ with gifts, resources, opportunities, etc… for a purpose.
Do you think of yourself as assigned a task?
Do you think your life as the stage where the Lord wants you to represent Him?
We have seen earlier that our assigned task is to witness to good news of Jesus.
To demonstrate and declare the good news way of grace, mercy and peace.
To bless those we meet each day from all nations with the love of Jesus.
To use our grace gifts in a way that honours Jesus and blesses others.
To make the most of tough times (like being arrested) to witness to Jesus.
This is what the disciples were being prepared for, and called to.
Through His predictions, Jesus is warning them about tough times ahead.
He is warning them to stay on guard, be alert and keep watch – He will come again.
So how are Christians doing, how am I doing?
Are we working diligently for the kingdom, or are we sleeping on the job?
Am I using my grace gifts to share His grace with others – or selfishly using them for me?
Am I using tough times as opportunities to witness to my hope in Him?
“What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (Mark 13:37)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, this week I realized that I have been wasting my opportunities, neglecting the grace gifts You have entrusted to me. In other words, ‘sleeping on the job’ Thank You for this wake up call!
Observations/Application
With the reading of today I am reminded of Martin Luther – it isn’t good works that marks the individual good but a good individual who does good works. We could read numerous learned botanical books to an apple tree to inform that the apple tree ought to bear apples in the fall. But the reason why the apple tree bears apples is simply that this is what apple trees do naturally. Christians do not need to be told to do good works for they do them naturally.
We do not know when Christ will return and so in the meantime, we must do what comes naturally – serve Him with our gifts producing good fruit.
There is a story about Luther being asked what He would be doing if Christ would come again. Working in the orchard was his reply.
I must be doing the same.
The fruit of the spirit is not a coconut
The fruit of the spirit is not a coconut
If you want to be a coconut, you might as well hear it; you can’t be a fruit of the spirit.
‘Cause the fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.