(Mark 12:13-13:37)

"Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. You must be on your guard." (13:5-9)

 These words spoken by Jesus more than 2,000 years ago are so real today than ever before. The recent calamities and chaos happening around the globe are signs that every day we wake up is a day closer to the end of time. Thus, we must heed the call of Jesus--watch out, be on guard for we do not know when the time will come!

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come" (13:32-33).

The Jewish leaders--Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, and teachers of the law--formed an unholy alliance and conspired to catch Jesus in his words. They planned to trap him, but Jesus will not be caught by their schemes. "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?...At the resurrection whose wife will she be?...Of all the commandments, which one is the most important?" Jesus knew their hypocrisy and guarded his answers well.

Jesus then contrasted the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law with the humility of the widow. The teachers of the law loved prominence, power, and the praise of men. While the widow honored God with everything she had.

The controversies Jesus faced during the first Holy Week give us insights on how we can practically watch out and be on guard in these perilous times.

As the denarius was imprinted with the image of Caesar, man was imprinted with the image of God. Thus, we must watch how we can honor God with our life. 

The question on the resurrection revealed either the Sadducees' ignorance or intentional manipulation of Scriptures for personal gain. Thus, we should know the Scripture and be on guard in using it properly.  

The greatest commandment is to love God with our entire being. And this love must overflow with our love for others. 

As we watch out for the coming of Christ, let's be on guard against hypocrisy and the love of this world. All these things will soon pass away, only God's Word will stand forever. Let us humble ourselves and surrender everything to God rather than get preoccupied with the concerns of this world. 

“Lord, I want to watch out and be on guard for Your Second Coming. Prepare me spiritually by honoring You with the way I live my life, knowing You through Your Word, and loving others. All for Your honor and glory.”