Published: November 26, 2023 | Speaker: Mark Freitag | Series: Gospel of Mark - Part 93 | Scripture: Mark 13:32-37
Transcript
View Full Transcript →
0:15
13 I'm going to read that section beginning at verse uh 32 and read to the
0:25
end but of that day or hour no one knows not even the angels in Heaven nor the son but the father alone take heed keep on the alert for you do not know when
0:36
the appointed time is 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
0:48
commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert therefore be on the alert for you do not know when the master of the house is coming whether in the evening at
1:00
midnight at crowing or in the morning lest he come suddenly and find you asleep and what I say to you I say to all be on the
1:12
alert let us pray Our Father we do ask that you would by your Holy Spirit teach
1:23
Spirit teach us grant us wisdom understanding of these things but also the application to walk in them to believe the words of our Lord Jesus
1:36
Christ knowing that he has already said that his word will not pass away that word of power of which we sang this morning and so we ask that you would do
1:47
these things that you would build your church in Christ's name we pray
2:01
amen some more hard words from from from Jesus and many have been dwelling particularly on verse 32 but of that day and hour no one knows but what I want to focus on myself
2:14
this morning this morning is that this passage I believe is the the moral and spiritual application of the entire olette discourse given in
2:27
Mark's version in the entirety of chapter 133 there are three Greek words that help us view the import of this passage
2:42
there are three different words but they have very complimentary meanings in verse 33 there is the
2:53
word keep on the alert or in some of your versions it'll say Watch and Pray it's to be Sleepless is what it means
3:04
some again can be translated and hopefully will understand why it's translated in some and quite frankly I was disappointed in The New American
3:15
Standard Version it translates it keep on the alert but I believe there is a reason why earlier translators said
3:25
Watch and Watch and Pray there's another word in verse 35 and 37 that's translated in again in The New American Standard be on the alert it
3:37
means to keep awake and translated in many versions as
3:47
simply watch one word that appears in Chapter 13 more than these is the word look or see or some of your versions see to it
4:00
or take heed in verse 5 and verse 9 verse 23 and verse 33 it's the idea of keeping looking keep on looking see to
4:13
these things take heed of these things and that's the one I want to focus on first because it builds up to the final
4:25
the final passage how to take heed how to look at these things so this word in again in verses 5 and 9 and 23 it it usually
4:38
implies more especially an intent an Earnest contemplation so that's why I think the New American Standard can translate it you take heed
4:51
of these things we would see that word is just look and see and yet there is something more more urgent about that more intent about that
5:03
rather than just looking I'm always reminded of Yogi Bara one of his famous sayings you can see a lot by just
5:14
looking and again I think his intent as we see here is that it's an Earnest contemplation a taking heed of these
5:24
things so as we look at a brief summary of the olette discourse as found in Mark's gospel it it tells us that we are to take heed and in what it means to
5:37
watch what it means to be on the alert starting earlier In this passage we see Jesus prophecy is a clear
5:49
Revelation that the age from the cross which he was about to approach during this passion week as we call it to to the perusia his coming again or his
6:02
appearing again would be a time of Perpetual conflict and turmoil there I read there are many Christians who believe that Christianity
6:15
ought to grow more and more and the world is going to get better and better and there will be a time when nobody needs to be evangelized and Jesus never gives us that he he's telling us I never
6:27
had any expectation that Wars and bloodshed and turmoil and pro persecution and strife would
6:40
cease there is a clear declaration that the wars and rumors of wars are not the signs of the end of the age the war in the Middle East going on now is not the
6:51
sign of the End of the Age the war in the baltics is not a sign of the End of the Age earthquakes f those things that we read about on a daily basis are not
7:02
those signs Jesus never says that we should live as if this were near but he never says we should live as if it were far the wars and the earthquakes and the
7:15
famines are Perpetual process in which God is working out his will on Earth and then we have Jesus warning
7:25
them several times of false prophets false christs false christs and in times of great Peril and emotional stress these men will arise
7:36
and they will pray on even Believers so we are to take heed so that you will not be lured away from our loyalty to our
7:47
lord Jesus we would not be bent by these Pretenders to their will but we would be loyal to
7:57
loyal to Christ and his prophecy also tells us that the final manifestation of Our Lord will be heralded by Supernatural signs the powers of the heavens will be shaken
8:09
Jesus says the son of man will appear clearly to all and we are these are the things to which we are to look or to take heed to contemplate them to
8:23
understand them and we have that great solemn but very authoritative assurance that these things must be Heaven and Earth will pass away he
8:35
said but my words will not pass away you can believe these things you can trust me you can walk in these things that I
8:46
tell you and then we come to this passage verse 32 as one commentator called it an arresting insistence on the fact that the time is
9:01
not known but of that day or hour no one knows not even the angels in Heaven nor the son but the father
9:11
alone we can understand perhaps that the Angels do not know although again many people think of the angels as being
9:21
those closest in relation to God in heaven but we know from Peter he writes that that there are many things in which Angels long to look the mystery of our
9:35
Salvation The Mystery of the cross the Angels long to see those things but what does this mean the son of man does not know the
9:47
day or the hour of his coming again that has bothered many people for for centuries and much has been written upon
9:57
it some believe believe that Jesus knew but he didn't think it appropriate to tell the disciples that he thought that would
10:08
that would somehow not be very helpful to them they perhaps look at John chapter 16 where Jesus says I have many more
10:18
things to say to you but you cannot bear them now well I don't think Jesus would be false in that way
10:29
Jesus was not at this time some believe in possession of the knowledge referred to could that have been we read again in Peter that he says Lord you know all
10:42
things well I guess it's in John but it's Peter speaking to Jesus Lord you know all things he felt that Jesus was omniscient so how could this be that the
10:52
son does not know perhaps this was among not among the things the things that to
11:03
that to communicate and I don't believe that we can explain how and to what extent is a human nature and is the divine nature
11:15
connect there are many who believe that Jesus acted at times in his divine nature and other times in his human nature we know that he was 100% God and
11:25
100% man but how can this be and I don't know that I can give you a satisfactory answer to this
11:36
question I will give an opinion and then I will give what I think is the emphasis in this chapter if we factor in who is speaking
11:49
Jesus Christ the lord and the subject his return his coming again in his second Advent and the intent of his
12:01
statement I think we find that in the scriptures Jesus seems to have had a daily communication with the father and then he sought to speak those things to
12:14
his disciples in John 12 we read for I did not speak on my own but the father himself who sent me has given me a commandment as to what to say and what
12:27
to speak to speak and In this passage that was I came across an emphasis in one of the commentaries and I believe that it does
12:40
it is a prophecy of Jesus Christ Isaiah 50 we read these words the Lord God has given me the tongue of disciples so that
12:51
I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word he awakens me morning by morning he aw awakens my ear to listen as a disciple I believe there were
13:03
things that daily the father and the son communicated to one another that they had that communion that he had that way of speaking with his father and
13:14
listening to what the father said and certainly In this passage when he says of that day and hour no one knows there there's nothing peculiar
13:26
about the precise timing of his appearing by concealing it here nothing is is gained by the
13:36
disciples and by again by concealing it there's there's no danger or if it was revealed sorry there's no danger I don't
13:46
think to Jesus himself but it appears that Jesus had no communication with his father on this subject and he could say honestly that
13:59
he did not know the day nor the hour of appearing but is this the emphasis In this
14:10
passage does it matter that we can conceive of how the son does not know these things the point of the passage is
14:21
you do not know you disciples you who believe in me me you do not know and that's how it
14:33
relates to Jesus words in this context because in verse 33 he does say take heed again that word for look see
14:44
contemplate these things but he follows that with a different word as I say that says be on the alert or again some of your translations I like better watch
14:57
and pray or really be watching and praying the application is that all of the human faculties are gathered
15:09
together here wherever you find yourself whatever situation you find yourself in be wide awake be alert be cooperative be
15:21
contemplating these things be careful in your loyalty to Christ and not persuaded by other voices but also be courageous in living for him when you
15:33
hear of Wars when you hear of famines when you hear of earthquakes and now he says added to see to it or take heed he adds this is how
15:47
you are to see this is how you are to take heed this is how you ought to contemplate these things be watching and
15:59
praying they are to be constantly observing what is happening around them and they're constantly looking at well how do these things agree with the words that you
16:09
have spoken to us the word itself means to be
16:20
Sleepless it comes from two Roots one is to Chase or to hunt and the other one is sleep and some of you as you get older like me you there are nights where you do that right you chase sleep it does
16:33
not come but when he's looking at it in a in a way that he says you are to be like that one who chases sleep you are to be Sleepless you are not to be
16:46
sleeping you are To Be watchful you are to be watching and praying the word expresses not just um
16:57
wakefulness but wakefulness but watchfulness and it's the watchfulness of those who are intent upon something
17:08
there's something that you're watching for and watching out for and as we move it into the spiritual realm again I believe in this context
17:20
it's perfectly legitimate to say it's an attitude of the Soul it expresses the attitude of the Soul Ro in worship or as
17:30
one commentator wrote quote the soul Desiring itself out to God that's this word Watch and Pray be on the
17:47
alert it's a constancy in prayer keeping yourself in the true Faith being ready for well as we've already seen
17:58
anything all the foregoing issues the wars the famines the earthquakes the trouble the tribulation the tribulation the persecution all of these foregoing
18:11
issues we might be facing plus we're looking forward to his coming I kind of think of it as as nehemiah's Watchman on the wall remember
18:24
how they had a trial in one hand because they were building the wall and what was in the other hand the sword they they were watching but they were working and I think that's what we see here is is a
18:36
watching and a working a watching and a praying and again why why does Jesus what is the emphasis it's it's not that we can figure out why how in the world
18:50
could Jesus not know the emphasis is you do not do not know you do not know verse 33 when the appointed time
19:02
appointed time is again some of your versions disappointed in The New American Standard again here I'm sorry but one of the the the word used here for time is
19:14
season it's a season you do not know when the season is and and we're in the holiday season are we not and the idea
19:24
is that it's more than just a time just a date on the calendar at 9:32 a.m. okay actually it's going to be p.m. we'll
19:35
talk about that in a minute okay it's more than just the time it marks out what is to occur that's the attitude of the Soul
19:46
it's that special fitting period when Christ appears again in
19:59
glory ja Alexander wrote so far from the use of these means being s s yes excuse me superseded by their ignorance of the time fixed for events this ignorance is given as the very reason why we ought to
20:13
use them the ignorance of not knowing is why he's saying here's how you look here's how you take heed you you are watching and you are praying you you're
20:26
not sitting around I you are watching and you are praying so this is how we all ought to take heed
20:42
Ephesians 5 reminds us be careful how you walk making the most of your time because the days are evil I think that dovet Tales very nicely with this making
20:54
the most of the time be having daily communication with God not only petitions but again watching and praying in this context
21:07
expecting his return looking for his return there there is nothing wrong with longing for Christ's return Peter tells us therefore beloved
21:19
since you look for these things be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by him at peace or in the quote that I had in the
21:32
news and notes this morning from G Campbell Morgan watching is the sleepless vigil of the god Desiring Soul he's saying do not
21:45
sleep be watching be praying at all times and I like that the sleepless vigil of the soul that desires God but
21:58
there's another word here in verses 35 and 37 that also could be rendered beyond the alert or
22:10
watch the church has been given gifts
22:21
Authority we've been given gifts and Authority as Christ's Representatives on Earth listen to verses 34 and 35 it is like a man away on a journey who upon leaving his house and putting his
22:33
slaves in charge assigning to each one his task also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert therefore be on the alert for you do not know when the
22:45
master of the house is coming whether in the evening at midnight at crowing or in the morning lest he comes suddenly and find you
22:56
asleep everyone has has been assigned a task it a man has gone on a journey but before he left he assigned his servants
23:06
their own tasks and the honor of representing him is presented to them all the honor belongs to the entire body
23:19
of Christ if we follow his Parable here the emphasis in the parable is not so
23:30
much the responsibility of the church members although that is here the every member Ministry of the church I believe is here he put his slaves in charge he gave them
23:42
Authority The Authority is not earned it is bestowed upon them and they are to do their tasks they are to
23:53
work but he commanded the doorkeeper to stay on on the alert and he's saying they all must constantly be on
24:04
watch that that watching is part of their working it's a personal work appointed by the by the Lord and this word used here means keep
24:17
awake be keeping awake as if a man were arousing himself Alert in the temple of that day
24:28
there was a captain of the doorkeepers and he would make the rounds in the evening to check that all all the doors were manned and the guards were
24:41
awake and alert during the night and because this passage he's talking about the nighttime the the four Roman watches of the night they are given names here
24:55
in the evening 6: to9 at midnight 9 to midnight the crowing 3 to or 12 to 3 and 3 to 6 in the morning those were
25:07
the watches of the night and if the captain came to the door and the doorkeeper was not alert and opened the
25:17
door for him showing them that he is on the alert one of two things could happen they could put him to death but quite
25:28
often what they did was they stripped him and they burned his clothes and we see a reference to this in Revelation 16 in a parenthetical statement it says
25:39
behold I am coming like a thief blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame
25:51
that's the idea of the doorkeeper staying awake keeping awake and alert for the master when he comes because the master will return as
26:05
one of the writers says he will come like a thief in the night he will return suddenly he will return unexpectedly you will not know in
26:16
advance this advance this information therefore information therefore watch and the question is not the date by which he the date he's
26:28
coming but it is a watch of the night at what time is he coming will the doorkeepers be ready for him when he
26:40
returns and so the significance of this word is a solemn watching a Resolute loyalty and a courage of heart without
26:52
anxiety and so we are to seek we are to watch we are to pray we are to seek him for the glory of his kingdom for the
27:04
glory of his purposes but what is this watchfulness well many have confused it I think with an incessant
27:17
curiosity when will that day be even though we read but of that day and hour no one no one knows but there are those who hunt for
27:27
the date and time there there are those who have actually U decided Well you know Jesus only said we know not the day nor the hour he
27:40
didn't say we can't know the year and the month and the week and you've read about them probably people who have gotten together and sold
27:51
their homes and gave up their businesses and sold all their possessions and gave to the poor and hiked up onto a mountain
28:01
to wait the coming of the Lord they did that in October of 2012 in November they came back down and had to start life a
28:20
here is watchfulness well let me read a quote that is more profound than what I can say Alexander McLaren wrote watchfulness is just a profound and constant feeling
28:33
of the transiency of this present Jesus is teaching us to familiarize ourselves with the fact that this world is passing away this is not
28:46
our home this is not what makes us his people and we are to guard ourselves against idleness and habits that detract
28:57
from your God Desiring there are those who say we ought to go to the mountain and look and watch and and keep a watch there but but
29:09
as we put these things together these three words taking heed keep watching keep praying be on the alert he expects us that to work as we
29:23
watch and watch as we work the hard reality is if we cease watching for Jesus Christ we will grow
29:35
dull and we will be unresponsive spiritually we will be those spiritual couch potatoes what Jesus says he says to all
29:49
his followers there are those who take this passage and say well the slaves are servants in verse 34 are the congregants and the doorkeepers are the pastors and
30:01
teachers they're the ones who have to watch but notice what Jesus says to end this section in verse 37 and what I say to you I say to all be on the
30:17
alert he regards all in the church all in his body whether Apostles whether pastors teachers or just us
30:29
folks as folks as doorkeepers he anticipates the Perpetual spreading of his words to all the disciples to come I say this to all
30:40
there's that expectation that you will teach others that you will do like the Apostle Paul what you've heard from me teach and pass on to faithful
30:54
others do we long for Jesus return do we look forward to that great getting up day when the Lord will return in glory can we say sincerely come Lord
31:09
Jesus come Jesus come quickly well as we do that as we pray that as we communicate with him we are to follow these injunctions in our
31:21
working and our watching and our praying take heed keep watching and praying keep awake let us
31:37
pray Our Father we thank you for the words of this passage we thank you for the the the the care and the passion and compassion of
31:47
our Lord Jesus Christ to sit with his disciples to tell them of the things to come and to inform them
31:57
that they are in it for the long hul that they are to take heed of your words that they are to keep watching and praying and to keep looking for your
32:09
return knowing that you and your words will never pass away and what you say will come to pass we thank you for these things we thank you for the
32:19
encouragement we also pray for endurance and perseverance as we follow them in Christ name we pray amen do you please rise for the
32:40
benediction from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 now may the God of Peace himself sanctify you entirely and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete without blame at the coming of
32:52
our Lord Jesus Christ Faithful is he who calls you and he will also bring it to