The Two-fold Purpose of Watching and Praying
Mark 13:34 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
Jesus gave the command to watch and pray to his disciples. He understood that a time was coming that all would need to be on guard. On two separate occasions, (Mark 13:35-37; 14:38), Jesus told his disciples to watch and pray. The significance of watching and praying is two-fold. First, no one knows when the Master is going to return. Therefore, when he returns, it is not his desire to find us asleep: i.e. asleep on the word of God through disobedience; slumbering on the job of sharing the good news of the gospel that Jesus saves; or snoozing on leading others to repentance and faith (Mark 1:15). Second, so that temptation will not enter in. Because of Jesus’ hyper-static union (all God and all man at the same time) He understood that the spirit of man is willing, but the flesh is weak and subject to falling into temptation. The command to watch and pray was given to His disciples then, but extends to us in this present age.
Prayer for today: Father, help me to remain alert and prayerful concerning the things of God and strengthen me so that I may not fall into temptation. I JESUS’ name, AMEN
Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that. Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.
Love
Dianne