When Midnight Might Be

Scripture: It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Mark 13:34-35

Observation: Jesus tells his disciples to be steadfast in doing the work of the Lord by using a parable of a master who goes on a journey. The servants must remain active and vigilant or else they may be sleeping or failing at their work when the master returns, and the return is at an unknown time. However, Jesus gives examples in the parable of when the return could be ... evening, midnight, pre-dawn, or early morning.

It is interesting that none of the potential return times are ... during the day. Jesus doesn't say that the master might return at midday, or in the afternoon, or at mealtime. The return doesn't occur during the productive working hours, nor during any time of good daylight. These are times where the servants would certainly be prepared. They would be working, doing their daily chores, and if they happened to slack off for a moment they would be able to see the master coming due to the good light of the day, and resume their work.

Every day has times when it is good and natural to be doing work, and other times when it is easier to slack off, to relax, to rest with some wine or other pleasurable leisure, and to not be doing any work. Likewise, in waiting for Jesus, there are times when we are alert to the signs around us, active in the Lord's work, and there are times when we are more likely to be at rest and not being particularly diligent about the great commission. These are the times that those who await the return of Jesus need to be extra alert.

Application: As just yesterday I hoped for Jesus' return, today I am reminded that not only can we not know when it will come, but it likely will occur at a time when we don't particularly expect it. When we think we see all the signs ... that's because they are all well-illuminated by the midday sun, and we are actively working to live properly within the context of those signs. Yes, Jesus might then come, but he would find us well-engaged in his work.

However, there will come a time in the future when the economy stabilizes, wars die down, angry rhetoric subsides, some kind of moral order is (at least partially) restored, and Christians will say 'okay, we can relax a bit and enjoy just resting in God's love'. That sounds like evening and midnight, when the master could suddenly arrive and we would not be working, and we would not see him on the horizon.

I hope I can be alert at all times. I hope further, however, that I don't necessarily need to be especially alert, as I would simply be doing the Lord's work anyway when he arrives.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us your work to do, and you show us your work and join in it with us. May I serve you better every day, and may I serve you all my days. I wish I can find your work in my earthly role, for I know you have placed me here for your purpose. I do look for your return. Amen.