Watch
Nana, watch me! Momma, watch me!
I’ve heard these calls many times as my kids and my grandkids have done amazing feats. To my sheer astonishment, and mostly immense joy, I gasped, applauded and cheered them on while they jumped dirt piles in the yard on their speedy bikes or swung high in the air on the swings at the playground. Even as they did their little crow-hops that were surely the most gymnastic-gold-medal-cartwheels-anyone-has-ever-witnessed, in their own minds.
It’s good to feed a child’s imagination and confidence. Allowing them to enjoy pride in something they work hard for or have accomplished gives them strength and courage. Plus, it makes a happy hearted witness as they beam with excitement and glow with pride.
Listening to my grandparents tell stories may not have been my favorite thing. Honestly, it’s sad that I didn’t pay better attention. Nowadays, I see myself wanting to share things with my family that are important to me, but I don’t think they get the same feelings from my experiences and memories that I do. I guess I was a bigger deal to myself than to anyone else.
On the Tuesday before the coming Friday, Jesus spent hours telling stories. Actually, they weren’t stories, they were truths that not everyone understood. Some came to him with questions and He turned the questions back on them and they left perplexed. Other’s tried to trick Him with their questions, only to find that His answers were convicting. Still others hung on each word that Jesus spoke and tried to make sense of the things He was teaching them.
I wonder how many truly heard, “Beware” “Take Heed” “Woe” “Take Ye Heed” “Behold” “Learn” “Verily I say unto you” “Watch ye therefore” “Watch”.
How many times, how many different ways could He stress to them to watch? Watch out for those who deceive. Watch out for those who like to be extravagant in their “preaching” and their lives. Behold-listen, hear what I’m saying. Don’t try to predict what will be asked of you, trust the Holy Spirit. Do not fall into the traps and excitement of the faithless, those who fuel drama and thwart the faithful, remember the truth. Watch me. Watch what I do. Watch out for those who do the opposite because I’ve told you the truth and if you watch me you will see the truth unfold. Be ready, least you miss it.
Mark 13:37 “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” -Everyone, W A T C H.
When the kids hollered “WATCH!”, they wanted to make sure my focus was on them. They wanted me to see the whole thing and not miss one amazing blip. Of course there were times where I turned away and missed the end of the greatest feat imaginable. With broken hearted disappointment they would hang their head, gasp and say “Aw, man…”. Sometimes they would try again, but it was never as great as the one I missed. Other times, there wasn’t a do-over. I had missed it for good. Too bad, so sad…
There’s no do-over in life. Once it's over, it’s over for good.
Jesus said WATCH. He didn’t want the attention, oohs and ahhs. He wasn’t out for applause or any self gratification. He warned, watch out, watch yourself, watch Him. In the days to follow the parables would become clear. The prophecies fulfilled. The mission would be accomplished. It will be done.
Still today, I implore you to not only watch, but be ready. Be educated in the purpose, educated in the distractions. Watch out for the drama, smoke-screen, deceptions that will come and be prepared for the inevitable.
The Tuesday before the coming Friday was an important day for all. Jesus was fighting. He was fighting the demons, satan, the deceivers and fighting FOR us.
Stay in the WORD.
Watch.
*Matthew 21, Mark 11-13, Luke 20
