Jesus Christ commands us to watch with urgency and authority in Mark 13:37: And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! This command, rooted in the Greek word gregoreuo, is an imperative that demands strict attention and obedience from all. We must recognize the seriousness of this directive, as it prepares us for His return, which could happen at any moment in our lives through death, an event we cannot predict. Watching is essential to being ready for His immediate return, whenever it may occur. Christ's use of the word watch reveals two key truths: we do not know the time of His return, and we must be vigilant to ensure readiness no matter when it happens. By His own example, He shows us what watching entails, demonstrating spiritual preparation through intense prayer and a lifetime of guarding against sin. In contrast, His disciples failed to watch, falling asleep instead, and as a result, they were unprepared and faltered. Watching, therefore, is about focusing on spiritual readiness rather than being distracted by less critical matters like world events or prophecy. Misplaced priorities can lead us to neglect the weightier matter of our spiritual condition. If we are overly attentive to future events and wrong in our focus, we risk being caught unprepared. The vital task is to heed Christ's command in Mark 13:37, ensuring we are prepared for His return in our lives today, not just at some distant point in the future.

Jesus teaches that His disciples must remain watchful, always ready for His return at an unexpected hour. The theme of watchfulness underscores the necessity of being prepared for the Son of Man, emphasizing both alertness and patient waiting. If the master's return is late at night or very early in the morning, the servants' vigilance is even more commendable. They must stay constantly vigilant to allow the master immediate entry upon arriving home. If they prove worthy by being watchful and ready, their master will care for them. The unwise servant errs by disregarding the inevitability of judgment, acting as if he can do whatever he pleases while the master is away. He also mistakenly assumes he has ample time to set things right before the master's return, a dangerous presumption that overlooks the urgency of readiness. In contrast, the faithful servant is blessed for diligently doing the will of the master. Jesus emphasizes that blessed is the servant whom His Lord finds faithfully serving upon His return. This faithfulness applies to all, with a special responsibility for those in leadership to remain steadfast in their duties. The evil servant neglects his responsibility with an attitude contrary to the command to be ready. His harsh treatment of fellow servants mirrors false leaders who harm the congregation, and his severe punishment underscores the gravity of evading duty. Such neglect leads to dire consequences, highlighting the importance of fulfilling one's role. Judgment varies according to understanding, as servants who know their master's will and fail to act face stricter penalties than those who sin unwittingly. Even the ignorant servant bears responsibility to learn the master's will. Knowledge and privilege bring accountability, and sin is doubly grievous for those who know better. God will judge each according to their level of responsibility, seeking to find His servants with their work completed, glorifying Him upon His return.

Jesus commands vigilance and watchfulness in His servants, emphasizing spiritual preparation over physical readiness. Watching, as Christ instructs, focuses on preparing spiritually for His Second Coming, an event for which the day or hour remains unknown. As children of light, we must not be overcome by darkness, ensuring that our behavior reflects the positive aspects of the Kingdom of God, such as peace, patience, tranquility, love, joy, and comfort. Watching our behavior is crucial, as it involves paying special attention to our character and interactions with others, rather than becoming consumed by the negativity of world events. Obsessing over world events can harden and enervate us, making us cynical and bitter, and does not aid in taking control of our lives. Until Christ returns, we must serve others using the spiritual gifts God has given us, in direct contrast to the careless, cruel, and vengeful behavior of the evil servant who believes there is plenty of time. Our watchfulness should manifest in quietly modeling God's Law in our lives, exemplifying the fruits of His Holy Spirit, and maintaining a clean, well-lighted embassy to nourish and strengthen those who seek refuge and comfort.

As the time of the end approaches and spiritual darkness persists, the call to watchfulness remains crucial in relation to the return of Jesus Christ. Numerous instructions emphasize the need to watch, for the Day of the Lord or Christ Himself will come as a thief in the night. This watching is not about physical observation or closely monitoring world events to predict His return. Instead, it is about being vigilant and diligent in the responsibilities entrusted to us. Jesus commands to watch and pray always to be counted worthy to escape the coming trials and to stand before the Son of Man. This watching is not about tracking news or prophecy fulfillment, but about maintaining spiritual readiness. It involves being alert to our duties, ensuring the household of God is in order, even through sleepless nights of dedication. If we focus on staring out for signs of His return rather than fulfilling our tasks, we neglect what He has charged us to do. The responsibility of a steward is to be watchful, not in anticipating the Master's return, but in diligently managing the household. Jesus emphasizes that no one knows the day or hour of His return, making it clear that our focus should be on spiritual preparation rather than speculation. If we are not ready or have been idle when He returns, we risk facing His wrath. In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, the same admonition to watch is given. Those unprepared at the Bridegroom's sudden arrival lose their opportunity because they did not watch themselves or make necessary spiritual preparations. Similarly, Paul instructs that while the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, it should not overtake the faithful as a thief if they remain awake, sober, and vigilant in their spiritual state, guarding against dangers and deception. To a portion of the end-time church, Jesus reiterates the need to be watchful, urging them to strengthen what remains and to guard against apathy and neglect. True watching is not about observing world events but being alert to spiritual dangers and faithfully carrying out God-given responsibilities. If we fail to watch over our covenant duties, He will come upon us like a thief, and we may not be counted worthy to escape. Christ will return when least expected, His coming hidden like a thief in the night. Rather than attempting to discern the timing, we are called to watch over all that God has entrusted to us, ensuring we are ready when that Day arrives. Faithfulness in the mundane and unexciting tasks prepares us for the great things ahead.