What Jesus Did! 'Don't Get Caught Sleeping' — Mark 13:34-36

Friday, October 4, 2024

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

 Donate Now
[Jesus continued,] "The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return — in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning."
— Mark 13:34-36 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' preferred title for himself is the "Son of Man." Taken from both Ezekiel and Daniel, Jesus plays on the human emphasis (Ezekiel) and messianic emphasis (Daniel) of this title to link his two "comings" together. His first coming, the incarnation, involved his earthly ministry as a human being who was God living among us. The second coming will be when he comes in his glory with the angels of heaven. The real issue is not if or when he will return; the issue is whether or not his followers will be ready for his return. Will we be doing his work in the world? Will we be found faithful at his return? Will we be longing and expecting his return? When Jesus left earth, he gave his followers, including us, a mission — they are to be his representatives, his bodily presence, in the world until his return. Let's be vigilantly living out our mission until the day of his return or our departure from this earth.

Today's Prayer

O Father, wake us up and stir us to action. I confess that I sometimes get lethargic in my service to the Kingdom. There are times when I get discouraged and don't long for Jesus' return like I should. Encourage, convict, and motivate me through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 28:18-20
  • Luke 18:1-8
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, October 4, 2024

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: 1 John 2:1
""If any man sin, we have an advocate." Yes, though we sin, we have him still. John does not say, "If any man sin he has forfeited his advocate," but....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 1:1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'All Are Dependent Upon God' (Ru. 1:1-2)
"In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 10:4
"Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 13:34-36 NLT — "The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!