Mark 13:32-37 - The Call to Stay Awake

Mark 13:32-37
32 But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34 It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.35 Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.37 What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Message: The Call to Stay Awake

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Chapter 13 has all been about the Olivet Discourse, from Mark's perspective. These are prophetic words spoken by Jesus upon him leaving Jerusalem, having been questioned repeatedly by different religious leaders of the day. My guess is when I have read this text in the past, I thought it was speaking of Jesus' 2nd coming and perhaps section of it does speak of this, but the majority I have seen leads up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and then the fleeing of the Jews from Jerusalem and eventually spreading the gospel message to many regions.

This passage concludes the Olivet Discourse. After a first reading, it has some interesting words from Jesus, some unexpected. He begins by saying, But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. It would seem in these verses that Jesus is speaking on information that the Father has, but he does not. I would think that perhaps as the son of Man, at this point, being fully man and walking the earth as a man, he does not speak in a way that communicates an all-knowing perspective. Tabletalk states, "Jesus reveals His ignorance." His acts have consistently been divine like: settling the storm on the water, walking on the water, healing the blind and lame, forgiving sin, and speaking continually with the same authority as the Father. So Jesus, as the Son of Man here does not know the time. As the Son of God, he knows the time. I think I will see that upon his resurrection He will have a different way of speaking about divine matters.

Now what verse 32 is speaking about is a mystery. It could be that verse 32 refers to the time of Jerusalem's destruction during the first century. Or it could be rendered that verse 32 moves from talk of the fall of Jerusalem to the Day of judgment. The word but could communicate this contrast in subject. Thus, I believe that verse 30 which speaks of the fact that this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened is talking about the fall of Jerusalem. But of that day or hour;hour here is better translated season, so the day or season is not known as hour is a component of a day so it would be repetitive to say day or hour.

In verse 33 and following, Jesus remarks that the people of God are to be on the alert - so whether it is the fall of Jerusalem or the Day of Judgment, the people of God are not to be obsessive in figuring out the time, but rather they are to take on a roll of being on the alert for when it happens they will not be surprised. This means that these words can be applied to our present situation of waiting for Jesus's 2nd coming. The important thing is to be on the alert for the time is not known. Yet, we are not only to be on the alert as in verse 34 Jesus remarks in an example that we are Jesus slaves and we have a task to do.  It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task. As I am on the alert, I am also doing a task. Jesus has been very clear that the church has a task to do in preaching the gospel to all people, everywhere.

Summary - Jesus continues to speak and either speaks of the uncertain time of the destruction of Jerusalem or the future judgment, Day of the Lord, as is spoken of in Daniel. No matter what is being discussed, what he is telling his followers is to be on the alert. Yes, they have a task to do during this period of waiting but they are not to figure out the time but instead be obedient to their calling.

Promise: People Get Ready does not mean we sit and wait, but we work and wait, staying on the alert.

Prayer: Thank you for this passage of scripture Lord and communicating your truths. I appreciate that it is hard to understand what you were saving some 2000 years ago for I am fine with not feeling like I must understand everything now. You would reveal your truths at the appropriate time. What I do know is I need to be ready and be on the alert.