"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Sunday, March 10, 2024 - Day 70 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Deuteronomy 14-16; Mark 13:14-37)
STAY AWAKE
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come... 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— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:32-37 ESV)
Throughout the years there have been many false prophets who have predicted Judgment Day. Biblically illiterate followers have sold their belongings and quit their jobs in anticipation of meeting the Lord on the date promised. How devastatingly disappointed they must have been when the date came and passed. If they would have read and believed what Jesus says about the end of the world, they would not have been duped.
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Knowing that the signs of the times seem to indicate that the end is coming soon, how should we occupy our remaining time on this earth? Luther answers: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” What he is saying is that we should be about living out the vocations and lives God has given us. At the same time, he would surely also echo Jesus’ warning:
“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
♬ The world is very evil,
The times are waxing late;
Be sober and keep vigil,
The Judge is at the gate;
The Judge that comes in mercy,
The Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil,
To diadem the right.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, Concordia Publishing House, 1941, #605)
Almighty God, may I be found prepared when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead. To this end, mercifully continue to feed me with Your word of Law that condemns me and Your word of Gospel that reveals how Jesus paid for all of my sins on the cross. May I spend my remaining time on earth in Your service, sharing You with other sinners who need Your mercy just as desperately as I do. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail this tomorrow morning!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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