Servants and Being Watchful Mark 13:35-37 Bro. Brian McClure, November 18, 2015
Recap Prior to this parable there is a string of prophetic and apocalyptic sayings of Jesus: From declarations about the defilement of the Temple (13:1-2), to warnings about persecution (13:4-9), prophecies about the coming of Christ (13:24-27), and the need for constant vigilance, since no one knows the day nor the hour of the coming of Christ (13:32-35).
Summary Tonight s parable is summarily concerned the departure of the master of a household, who leaves his servants in charge of his home and then returns to find them awake or asleep. The last parable in the Gospel of Mark.
Another Repetitive Theme The theme of a wealthy man leaving servants or slaves in charge while he tends to other business is a common theme of the past few parables. In total, this theme appears in four parables 1 The Faithful and Wise Slave (Matt 24:45-51); 2 The Talents (Matt 25:14-30); 3 The Pounds (Luke 19:12-27); 4 The Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12).
We Received Our Marching Orders Mark 13:5-12 5 Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, I am he, and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Mark 13:9 For they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake.
Crucifixion of Peter John 21:18-19 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.
So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. Acts 11:19; I Peter 1:1
Mark 13:35-37 35 Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!
Be Ready For Action!
Keep Watch Christ will return when we do not expect Him. We may be able to observe some general indicators when key prophecies are fulfilled, but the overall timing will be a mystery. His coming will be like a thief in the night, purposefully hidden from all. We are instructed to watch over all that God has given to us, so that when that Day arrives, we are ready.
The Metaphor of Remaining Awake To be sleep means to be unprepared and to become spiritually unconscious. To be awake means then to be prepared for the coming of Christ, to be spiritually conscious.
Luke 12:35-37 35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Learn to Watch Like Jesus
Know Your Mission Luke 2:41-52 Know your Season John 2:1-11 Matthew 26:43-45 Demonstrate Focus and Discipline Matthew 4:1-11
Also a Promise of Something Good The declaration that Christ will come in glory tends to be seen as only a day of reckoning, many view this as a threat or a negative. I wish to impress upon you the triumph of God in raising Jesus from the dead. As each servant was given his or her own work to do during the absence of the master, so each follower of Jesus has tasks to do while the breath of life remains in us.
They Before the Throne of God Revelations Chapter 7. 1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
They Before the Throne of God Revelations Chapter 7. 6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
They Before the Throne of God Revelations Chapter 7. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
They Before the Throne of God Revelations Chapter 7. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.