"Signs of the Times" March 15 Readings: Deuteronomy 7-8, Mark 13:24–37, Psalm 35:14–20, Proverbs 8:22-23

Today's Readings - Deuteronomy 7-8, Mark 13:24–37, Psalm 35:14–20, Proverbs 8:22-23

Devotional - Signs of the Times

Sioux City has had a wild winter. After some strangely warm days in January, we had the most brutally cold February that most of us can remember, with winds that drove windchills down and nearly carried us all off to Oz. That is life in the frozen north. But one thing we know, spring is on the way. The flowers will bud, the world will turn green, the temps will rise. Even though it's cold and there is snow on the ground, there are signs of spring all around.

Jesus made a similar observation about the fig trees of Israel in Mark 13:28.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

The knowledgeable person can see from the signs he reads on the branches and leaves of the fig tree that summer is near. In the next verse (29), Jesus makes it clear what he is saying. 

So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

There are certain signs that one can look at in the world around to discern that perhaps the time of the end is drawing near. Jesus tells us in this passage and in several others what those might be. But he also makes something else clear in the passage that follows. It is not the Christian's duty to be a date-setter or to spend his or her time trying to figure out whether this is the day that Jesus will return. In fact, in verse 32, Jesus makes it crystal clear that we will never know for certain when Jesus will return. 

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

No one knows that day except the Father. (I believe Jesus' statement that he didn't know the day referred only to his time on earth, but that is a discussion for another day.) Life is not about trying to figure out whether this is the day or not. Jesus sets a different standard, in verses 33-37.

Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴ It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.³⁵ Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

We don't know when Jesus is coming back, so we must live every day as if it might be today. The standard is simple. If we are walking in Christ and in the power of the Spirit, it ought not to change our lives a bit if we knew that Jesus was returning tomorrow. We ought to be about the work of Christ every day, every moment. 

We are to be watchful, ready, passionate and fervent in our walk with Christ. 

Father, help me to live daily in wakefulness, readiness, and obedience, that I might be ready when Jesus returns. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

If you found out that Jesus was returning in 2 days, would your life change dramatically?
Would you have to stop doing some things out of shame?
Would you begin to do others that you know you should have been doing all along?