Watch and Pray - Mark 13:33

Mark wrote how Jesus told His disciples to, “learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”, and in chapter thirteen and verse thirty-three of his book, Mark shared how Jesus said, “Take you heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is”, where we read:

Take you heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is.

The verse reads, “Take you heed, watch and pray:” Mark began with the words, “Take you heed” or “the disciples of Jesus are to be aware, discern, perceive, discover and understand that they are to” “watch” which means “be sleepless, keep away, be circumspect, attentive and ready” “and pray” or “and supplicate, worship and make earnest prayers”. Mark shared how Jesus told His disciples to “keep awake” and “make supplication” to God.

The verse goes on to say, “for you know not when the time is.” Mark continued with the words, “for you know not” which means “because, since and on account that Jesus' disciples are not aware and have not perceive, notice, discern and discover ” “when” or “at what time and moment” “the time is” which means “the due measure of larger or smaller opportune or seasonal time”. Mark shared how Jesus gave the reason His disciples were to “watch and pray” was because they were unaware at what “time” these things would occur including His return.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus guided His disciples toward what they should do while these things were coming to be. They were not to be “naive” or “sleeping” when the horrors of this time happen, but they were rather to be “watching” and “praying”. God's desire is to “save” people from these terrible times, and if they yield their lives to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” they can be assured they will align with His perfect will for their lives.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".