LESSONS FROM JESUS | 12 | A Matter of Time

I’ve had my fair share of conversations with people from the older generation (I’m a millennial, in case you were wondering) telling me things like, “People of your age lack patience. You do not know how to wait for anything.” There’s a good chance that most people my age have probably heard the same thing or something similar from parents, grandparents, guardians etc.

The irony in all this is that a week ago, I had a conversation with my little cousin (he is 15 years old) and I caught myself telling him the same thing! I think it was the first time it hit home that I am getting older.

We live in a time of near-infinite possibilities and with the daily advancement of technology, instant gratification or instant rewards are the drivers of this world.

This is the reason why our lesson for today is one that we need to constantly remind ourselves of as believers. The question is this: in a fast-paced world, how are we supposed to deal with the most daunting test of patience ever written in scriptures?

Let’s turn to Mark 13:32–37

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning — lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” — Mark 13:32–37 (New King James Version)

Believe the Word of God, Believe the Words of Jesus

Jesus told His disciples that He would be returning to them and this scripture was written over 2000 years ago. In all honesty, by every human standard, it is a long wait. A really long wait.

Yet, before we get into the finer details of this passage, there is one lingering question: Do you believe that He is coming back?

Our faith is what gives us access to all that God has in store for us. We became Christians by believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him into our hearts. I have observed that in all matters of the Christian walk, the first area the devil will attack is what we believe.

When your beliefs change, your expectations also change. The sad reality is that majority of Christians are not expecting Christ anymore and this is because they don’t believe He is coming back.

It is a subtle shift that can sometimes go unnoticed. You have probably been hearing about His return since you were a child. Your parents heard it. Your grandparents did.

Is He ever coming back?

Was it all a lie?

Is the Bible even real?

There is a tendency to slip into a state of convenience and comfort where the narrative of your Christian life completely shifts as these questions unfold in your mind.

When your beliefs are addressed, everything else can start to fall into place.

My approach is this; if Jesus said He is coming, then He is coming. I trusted Him with my life when I gave it to Him and I will trust everything that He said.

It Is a Thing of Joy

The return of our Lord is not a melancholic or sad event. It is not a subject that should be approached with fear or disdain. Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us (John 14:3) and He promised us of a time where we will dwell with Him forever. A place without pain, without sorrow, without hunger, without anxieties, without fears and stress (Revelations 21,22).

One major reason why we are not expecting Jesus Christ is that some of us have been taught wrong things. Our eternal fellowship with our saviour will be the most joyous experience of our existence.

There are many promises in the Bible that address our lives on earth, but there are even greater promises that speak about our lives when we leave this earth.

As believers, our perspectives need to shift and we have to develop a hopeful expectation for the coming of the Lord.

There is Work to Be Done

‘Watch and pray’ is the instruction given by Jesus Christ in the passage above. In the story that follows, we see Jesus using a parable to illustrate our walk on earth. The characters are broken down below:

• The Master is Jesus
• The Servants (who the master has given authority) are the Christians
• The Doorkeeper is the Holy Spirit

The Master is particular about finding his servants working and not sleeping when He comes back. The essential theme of this story is that there is work that needs to be done. The Master did not give the servants authority to loaf about and do nothing. He did not give them the authority to simply do their own thing. He gave them instructions to carry out. The specifics of this instruction are given in Mark 16:14–18.

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” — Mark 16:14–18 (New King James Version)

Waiting for the master’s return is not a passive thing. It is very active and it involves seeking His face in prayers, being watchful (sensitive) to His will and being busy doing His work.

It’s only a matter of time, one day, He will return.