Be on Guard! Be Alert!

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Be on Guard! Be Alert!

Date: Jul. 2, 2022

Passage

Mark 13:28-37 (ESV)

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.

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.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 13:33

Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.

In light of all that Jesus has revealed about human history, what does he ask his disciples (then and now) to do? First, to learn from the fig tree. In agriculture, when the leaves of summer appear, it is too late to begin planting. So too, waiting to take Jesus’ words to heart until we see cataclysmic signs is too late! Now is the time, before “these things” are seen happening, to live as Jesus’ witnesses, standing firm on the gospel.

Jesus states clearly the day or hour is unknown by anyone. Instead of spending time speculating and guessing, Jesus tells us the third time to be on guard (9, 23, 33). It means to watch over ourselves, what we are thinking, feeling, saying, and doing in light of what we are anticipating: Jesus’ return. Like the man who went away and entrusted his house to his servants, each with his assigned task, we each have a glorious purpose in life, which Jesus has entrusted to us. First and foremost, it is to be molded into the image of Jesus himself (Ro 8:29). But he also gives us unique gifts to be used in building up his church (Eph 4:11-13). In big and small ways, we must focus on growing as his servant and doing our task until he comes.

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for the hope of Jesus’ return. Help me keep this in my mind and heart. Help me to grow to be the person Jesus called me to be, and to do the task he empowers me to do each day until I see his face.

One Word: One Word: Be found faithful.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

Revelation 21:1-8

Key Verse: 21:2

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Today's Question

What does the sixth commandment require?

See answer and references