Thursday - Watch and Stay Ready

Mark 13:33-37 – “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

After warning of deception and distress, Jesus repeated one command four times: watch. In His parable of a man leaving home, the servants do not know when he will return; their task is simply to be faithful and ready. When Jesus came the first time, many missed Him not because the prophecies were unclear but because they had stopped watching. He tells us not to repeat their mistake.

Watching doesn’t mean staring at the sky or setting dates. It means living every day as though Christ could return at any moment. Keep your focus on eternal things. Serve your church, love your neighbour, and cultivate holiness. Like a child watching the door for her father to pull into the driveway, let anticipation fill your heart and motivate your obedience. The King will come when we least expect it, and those who are awake will rejoice.