For half of the year, Hanoi's maximum daily temperature averages 30 degrees C or higher. This is not one of the hottest cities in the world but it is often very hot and humid. As in other warm parts of the world, it is not surprising to see people sleeping or napping during the day. If you visit a small store in the middle of the day, you may awaken the storekeeper. It is amusing to see those who drive motor bikes for a living, parked by the side of road, stretched out on their seat with feet perfectly balanced on the handlebars, apparently fast asleep.
Many taxi drivers work very, very long hours. At slow times they also can be found at the side of the road, in the shade if possible, fast asleep. Sometimes if we need a taxi we knock on the window and the driver quickly scrambles awake and turns on the engine. At other times we don't want to disturb them so we walk to another taxi. They get their nap but lose our business.
In Mark 13 Jesus is asked a question about the future. He describes vividly some of the pain and difficulty that lay ahead. Some of what He describes was fulfilled in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed. Biblical students debate how much of Mark 13 was fulfilled then or in later years and what still lies ahead of us.
No matter what stance we take on future prophetic fulfillment, the last verses of the chapter apply to all of us. Jesus warns His followers that one day the end will come; one day "the owner of the house will come back." Then Jesus says:
"If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:36, 37
Of course Jesus is speaking metaphorically about a householder and his servants. The point is that we are managers of the resources God has given each of us. He calls us to live with an awareness of a day of accountability that could come at any time. Each of us are responsible to use our gifts, our personality, our opportunities, our stage of life in a way that is pleasing to God. Not some day in the future but now. If we aren't careful we may be found unprepared to meet our Lord. We each have a different pace and a different calling. I may not be expected to do as much as you for the Kingdom of God. She may be expected to do more than you. But all of us must guard against being lulled to sleep; the sleep of procrastination or of simple spiritual laziness: "I'll obey some day. I will become really pure some day. I will be more active in serving God some day.""Some day" may never come.
On the day of accountability, you don't want Him to find you sleeping!
Many taxi drivers work very, very long hours. At slow times they also can be found at the side of the road, in the shade if possible, fast asleep. Sometimes if we need a taxi we knock on the window and the driver quickly scrambles awake and turns on the engine. At other times we don't want to disturb them so we walk to another taxi. They get their nap but lose our business.
In Mark 13 Jesus is asked a question about the future. He describes vividly some of the pain and difficulty that lay ahead. Some of what He describes was fulfilled in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed. Biblical students debate how much of Mark 13 was fulfilled then or in later years and what still lies ahead of us.
No matter what stance we take on future prophetic fulfillment, the last verses of the chapter apply to all of us. Jesus warns His followers that one day the end will come; one day "the owner of the house will come back." Then Jesus says:
"If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Mark 13:36, 37
Of course Jesus is speaking metaphorically about a householder and his servants. The point is that we are managers of the resources God has given each of us. He calls us to live with an awareness of a day of accountability that could come at any time. Each of us are responsible to use our gifts, our personality, our opportunities, our stage of life in a way that is pleasing to God. Not some day in the future but now. If we aren't careful we may be found unprepared to meet our Lord. We each have a different pace and a different calling. I may not be expected to do as much as you for the Kingdom of God. She may be expected to do more than you. But all of us must guard against being lulled to sleep; the sleep of procrastination or of simple spiritual laziness: "I'll obey some day. I will become really pure some day. I will be more active in serving God some day.""Some day" may never come.
On the day of accountability, you don't want Him to find you sleeping!
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