Are We Ready For Jesus?

Mark 13:24-37

This past year saw many natural disasters that brought major devastation to many people around the world, with destructive hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes.  Imagine how shook up people would be if in addition to these events, the cataclysmic events that Jesus described in Mark 13 were occuring.  In our Gospel reading for today Jesus is describing the events that will happen just prior to His return at His second coming (vs. 24-27).  Jesus and His disciples were seated on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem and the Temple when they were asking Him about end time events, and this whole chapter, including verses that precede the passage for today, give Jesus’s answer.

We, like the disciples at the time of Jesus, would like to know when all of these things would happen, and when He will come back again.  Jesus gave us the example from nature of the trees at the beginning of spring.  Observe the leaf buds beginning to develop.  When you see those, you know that spring is on its way.  I am one who really hates winter and the cold, so I am avidly looking for the leaf buds on the trees.  I keep a close look-out for that first robin, too.  Jesus says that when we see these we know spring and warmer weather is coming.  The same way when we see the events of chapter 13 coming in quick succession, we will know His return is near (vs. 28-29).

Even though this world will pass away, God’s Word will never pass away (vs. 31).  It will always remain true and unchanged.  It is impossible for God’s Word to be negated, destroyed, or altered in any way.  This should give us great hope, as we can know that we are able to trust everything He tells us.  Whatever Jesus says, whatever He has promised us, it is true and sure.  Even though the world is falling apart at the seams, we have something sure and solid that we can cling to and trust.  God’s Word, the Bible, is the only thing stable in an unstable world.  

Over the years there have been a number of false teachers who have tried to set specific dates of when the Rapture will happen and when Jesus will return. They are all wrong, as Jesus, Himself, stated that no one knows that date (vs. 32 - 33).  Jesus said even He didn’t know, only the Father.  Since Jesus is God, how is that?  When Jesus became a man, born as a baby, He voluntarily gave up the unlimited use of His divine attributes.  Jesus did not manifest His divine attributes unless directed to by the Father.

What we need in these days is preparation, not calculation of dates. Jesus tells us to watch and pray.  Watch - be awake and alert.  Be looking for danger from the enemies of our Savior.  Pray - we need constant assistance from God, especially as the days of His return approach.

Jesus informs us in this passage that His return will be like a man departing for a time, leaving his business in the hands of workers.  They would not know when the master would return, so Jesus warns that they should be alert and ready at any time (vs. 34 - 37).  I remember as a child in grade school that once in a while the teacher had to leave the room for a few minutes.  Some of the children would start to act up, others would diligently do the work assigned. No one knew exactly when she would return, and the goof-ups would inevitably get caught and punished.  We do not know when He will return, but we need to be awake and alert, busy doing His work.  

Do we place the same importance on preparing for Jesus’s return as we do on buying a car or house, a career change, etc.?  What is ultimately more important?  That car, house, or job will each pass away and be no more, but our eternal destiny is just that - eternal. Are we ready for Jesus Christ’s return?  As believers we are to remain vigilant and watch for His return.  And when Jesus does return, will we welcome Him, or will our soul’s condition cause us to dread His coming?