Who Was Watching?

Text: Mark 13:24-37 --

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, - And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. - And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. - And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. - Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: - So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. - Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. - Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. - Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. - 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. - Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: - Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Introduction:

Less than two weeks ago, we were blessed with a stunning astronomical sight, as our planet passed through two fields of debris left by long-gone comets, thereby producing one of the most spectacular meteor showers in years! My sister and brother-in-law have a commercial grade telescope, and sat up the night that everyone said the greatest number of meteors would be visible. They sat...and waited...and sat...and waited...and eventually witnessed the event. They saw dozens of meteors streak across the sky while most of us, including me, lay in bed snoozing the night away.

We have arrived at the first Sunday in a season we call Advent...the anticipation of the arrival of the Christ of Christmas, the babe in the manger, and most importantly the bringer of salvation for humanity. In this season we hear such wonderful scriptures as "...in the fullness of time, God sent His Son." and we think how awesome a time that was. But as the meteor shower, all the people knew he was coming but only a few were watching for it.

I. For the first Sunday in Advent, the prophet motif is especially significant, tieing the entire fabric of scripture together.

A. The first prophecy in the Bible was made by God himself, before he turned Adam and Eve out. And this prophetic word encouraged them to watch for the one to come who would redeem them...and all their generations...from their sins by "crushing the head" of the tempter.

B The Hebrew Scriptures are full of references to "the Messiah", "the Anointed One", "the Redeemer of Israel" and other hopeful terms. Their two pronged approach was always the same...He is coming...be watching for Him.

C. Christ is, significantly, celebrated by His church as King, as Priest AND as Prophet. Even Muslims and some among the Jews recognize the Prophet in our Lord. In our scripture today we have read some of the prophecy of our Lord. It ends, appropriately, with the exhortation to be watching.

D. The very end of the Scriptures, Revelation is, almost exclusively dealing in the area of the prophetic. The picture it paints is so graphic that modern computer games pale in comparison, and the message at the end was the same message yet again...He is coming...be watching for Him.

II. The world into which Christ came was one not too different from that in which we live.

A. Rome was perhaps the most efficient government up to that time. Romans were practical people, and had tied the inventive ideas of the people they conquered into many technological innovations. They built up the peoples they conquered, realizing that prosperous citizens pay more taxes than dead ones. Our Bible talks of those in that day who were well-off. Yet there was poverty and strife aplenty. People cried out, looking for relief from the grip of Rome.

B. As in the times so described in our Bibles, we live in a time of external prosperity. Things are going well...at least as far as our family and friends. To be sure, we still have poverty and strife with us, but it's so easy now just to look the other way and say "Let the government take care of them." Then go back to our friends and family, feast, fellowship, go to bed, pull up the covers and say "...see you in the morning."

C. Into a world of pain and prosperity Christ came the first time...to save the world. Into a world of pain and prosperity Christ will come again ...this time to judge the world.

III. That Christ will come again is the expectation that holds us together as an entity called the church. But what a shame it would be to identify onesself with such an august body as the church, yet not to be watching when Christ returns for His own.

A. Watching for Christ is NOT picking a date for His return, but living each day as if you expect Him back that day.

B. Watching for Christ is NOT seeing first to the safety of your family, but listening for the heart-cry of those He loves struggling in the thickets and brambles of this world and reaching out to bring them safely in as well.

C. Watching for Christ is NOT awaiting an event to be drawn close to Him, but seeking to be drawn closer to Him every day in holiness so that His return will only have to lift us a little bit higher.

Conclusion:

Meteor showers and other cosmic occurrences are fun to watch for, but we realize that they all miss the mark. The bright streak of a shooting star is indication that once again God has spared us...that there is still time to get right with him. The word of the Bible is clear, though, that Christ is not only the Anointed one, but the COMING one. The last known meteor to hit the Earth gave no warning. No one close to it was spared. Christ's coming will give no signs, but He has at least given us the warning signs.

Heed the warnings and be ready. For as He did in His first coming, Christ will come without warning. Be watching and be ready!!