13:32
Back in 13:4 the disciples had asked Jesus “when will these things happen?”. Here Jesus says that only the Father knows the day and the hour. We are not to waste time trying to work out the day and the hour, but so many fools have ignored this clear instruction. At the same time, the previous verses do tell us to be aware of the signs, to understand the times. To me, this seems a strong argument that one of the most important aspects of Jesus’ teaching here, and the book of Revelation, is a general understanding of how the “battle of good and evil” works out, or things work. In fact, a better way of putting it, rather than “battle of good and evil”, is how does God’s kingdom triumph in the midst of great opposition, and in an evil world.
13:33,34
We are to be alert and on our guard. Why? Because we do not know when the time will come. And what are we to do in the meantime? We are to get on with the work that has been given to us to do. We are here for a purpose (Eph 2:10). Our lives matter. The devil will try all sorts of ways to stop us or distract us from getting on with that purpose, we must not give in to him. Worrying about the day or the hour is not what we are meant to do. Instead we should be concerned about whether or not the Lord finds us doing the work assigned to us when He does return.
13:35,36
Jesus repeats the instruction that we do not know when the Lord will return, so we are to keep watch. This does not mean watching out for signs so that we can work out the day and the hour, but keeping watch so that we understand the times and get on with the task. “When the rooster cries”. This reminds us of what happened to Peter and his denial of Christ. Peter was an example of failing to be on our guard, and his first letter Peter instructs us to prepare our minds for action (1 Pet 1:13), he understood what Jesus was talking about. Jesus then emphasises that these words apply to everyone. We are to watch!
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