As the time of the end draws near and spiritual darkness persists, the return of Jesus Christ remains a central focus. Numerous scriptures emphasize that the Day of the Lord and Christ's return will come as a thief in the night, catching many by surprise. This phrase underscores the sudden and unexpected nature of His coming, highlighting that no one can predict the exact timing, not even Christ Himself during His earthly ministry. The admonition to watch, often linked with Christ returning as a thief in the night, does not refer to observing world events or predicting His arrival. Instead, it calls for spiritual vigilance and diligence in fulfilling the responsibilities God has entrusted to His servants. In I Thessalonians, Paul reinforces this by stating that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, and while it will surprise even the faithful, they are not appointed to wrath if they remain awake and sober in their spiritual duties. Jesus warns in His messages, such as to the church in Sardis, that if His followers do not watch over their spiritual state and covenant responsibilities, He will come upon them like a thief. This sudden arrival will reveal whether they have been faithful in maintaining what God has given them. The focus is not on anticipating the moment of His return, but on being prepared through consistent, diligent service, ensuring that when He comes as a thief in the night, they are ready to stand before Him.

In Mark 13:37, Jesus Christ commands with authority: And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! This imperative carries the force of a direct order from our Savior, demanding strict attention and obedience. The Greek word gregoreuo, translated as watch, underscores the urgency of being prepared for His return, which could happen at any moment in our lives, as we do not know the day or hour of our own passing. For each of us, His return is akin to the moment of death, when in the next conscious instant, we may rise to meet Him. Christ's repeated use of the word watch in the Gospels emphasizes two key points: we are unaware of the timing of His return, and we must remain vigilant to be ready whenever it occurs. His own example of watching, especially in His final hours through intense prayer and spiritual preparation, shows us the path to follow. While His disciples failed to watch and succumbed to sleep, suffering the consequences of unpreparedness, He remained steadfast, guarding against His human nature throughout His life. The command to watch is fundamentally about spiritual readiness, far outweighing the distractions of world events or prophecy. Misplaced focus on external signs can lead to neglecting the critical state of our character. If we are not prepared for His immediate return in our lives, all other preparations are in vain. Thus, the vital call in Mark 13:37 remains: Watch!

Jesus teaches that His disciples must always be ready for His return, as it will come at an unexpected hour, likened to a thief in the night. The parable illustrates the necessity of watchfulness, emphasizing that the Son of Man will arrive when least expected. Servants must remain vigilant, prepared to open the door immediately upon the master's arrival, even if it is late at night or early in the morning. If they are found watchful and ready, their master will care for them. The unwise servant errs by assuming he can do as he pleases in the master's absence, forgetting the day of judgment will come. He also mistakenly believes he has ample time to set things right before the master's return, a dangerous assumption that overlooks the urgency of readiness. Jesus stresses the importance of working while there is time, for the night comes when no one can work. The faithful servant, however, is blessed for being found diligently serving when the Lord returns. Jesus highlights that His return is certain but unexpected, and the church must continue serving God faithfully until that moment. The parable underscores the responsibility to remain steadfast, as blessed is the servant whom His Lord finds so doing when He comes.