Be Ready

Be Ready is a simple thought Lectionary reflection from Mark 13:33-37 about the fact that as Christians, we should be ready for Jesus to return today.

December 30, 2015 Year C

As we come to the close of 2015, we get a reminder to be prepared. Jesus challenges us to be ready for the next year. Jesus could return soon, even next year.

Am I ready for Him to return?

Since I don’t know when Jesus will return, Jesus tells me to watch and be alert (Mark 13:33). Jesus compares our alertness to a slave who waits for the master of the house to return (Mark 13:34). There are two things expected from our Master: (1) the work we are called to do as God’s slaves, and (2) to be ready for Him to return. Therefore, we should be prepared and ready to do two things:

The work of sharing Jesus
The waiting for Jesus to return.

The time period that Jesus says the Master could return is at night. We don’t know if He will return at evening, midnight, or early in the morning (Mark 13:35). Each of these points in time is at night. Of course, one normally sleeps at night (Mark 13:36). But Jesus says to stay up and wait for Him. We will soon stay up on New Year’s Eve to watch the ball drop and ring in the New Year. Jesus says that we should also “stay up” and watch for Him to drop from Heaven (Mark 13:37).

Prayer: God, help me be ready. I look forward to the return of Your Son Jesus Christ.