Keep watch

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

KEEP WATCH

Matt 24:36-44

36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

NIV

How easy it is to simply go about our lives doing that which we do with little attention to the fact Jesus could show up at any moment. There have been some believers who quoted a verse, way out of context that we should occupy until he returns. Of course that quote is in the King James Version. Other translations say, put it to work, trade with it, or do business with it. The context is the master who gives his servants minas or a certain about of money and when he returns he wants to know what they did with it. Of course the master is Jesus and the point of the parable is not about money for Jesus does not want or need money to be increased by us. It is about the gifts he gives us and how we use them to further his kingdom. So then it is not about the idea we should go about occupying until he returns. We should not be about doing everything for the benefit of this life without the thought that any moment Jesus could return and call us home. The fact is we could be struck dead by a bolt of lightning or a stray bullet, or a speeding car or heart attack at the blink of an eye. That is how fast the return of Jesus is going to happen. Therefor we are to keep watch. Now there has also been some weirdo groups who gathered and did nothing but stand on a mountain top or within a room and waited for the moment they had predicted his return. Of course they were all disappointed, but nevertheless some of those groups all committed suicide as they were convinced that he was coming at that moment. Yet Jesus says no one will know the year, the month, the day or the hour except the Father. The Angels do not know, Jesus does not know, so how can we ever think we would be able to determine even the approximate time. Therefor we should keep watch. That would imply that throughout our entire lives we should be constantly aware Jesus could show up. This should give us some reason to consider what we do on a daily basis. Although we cannot be without some sin in our lives, we should not blatantly go about sinning as to satisfy our every whim and fancy.  Instead of continually being concerned about our future here on earth, we should be considering our future in heaven. This then would speak to the issue of putting so much effort in storing up treasures on earth.

Matt 6:19-21

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

NIV

There is one scripture where we are told the God will make us rich. But then the whole reason is so we can give it to others.

2 Cor 9:10-11

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

NIV

So we are back to the idea that we should keep watch. Sure we have to work. Yes we need a home, a car, some clothes and food. Yes we even have time for entertainment and other activities, as we live the good life here in America. But these words are for all mankind in every culture and time. The idea is that no matter what we do or where we live we should always be aware at any moment it is all worthless and has no meaning as everything in this life will be left behind. Therefore we should consider nothing here as a treasure or of having any value. For if we do, if we put any value on anything material here, that is where our heart is and we might, just might miss out on something of real value, the resurrection of our being into the heavenly realm.  We have been warned that we cannot do both. We cannot put value on earthly things and on God at the same time. Instead of making preparations for this life, we should be making preparations for the life to come. What does that look like? It may well be in the attitude of our minds. It may well be the way we conduct our lives. The one thing it is for certain is that we need always be prepared for his return, always looking, always thinking about it, always keeping watch, never losing sight of that truth. We cannot afford to get distracted or sidetracked in other issues. Our purpose in life is to bring glory to God. To work, to endeavor to use all that he has given us for the benefit of his kingdom. This includes the gifts, the armor, the fruit, and all else he has blessed us with. What we have to ask ourselves is, are we doing that? But more importantly, are we truly keeping watch?