“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

Mark 13:32-37

“But about that day or hour no one knows, 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. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep awake.”

Philemon is the shortest and most concise of all the letters written by Paul. Paul wrote this letter from prison, most likely in Ephesus, to a man named Philemon. He was a wealthy believer in Colossae whose house served as a gathering place for the church in Colossae. The theme of this letter to Philemon is reconciliation and how the Gospel transforms social relationships.

Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who ran away and later encountered Paul in prison. While in prison with Paul, Onesimus became a follower of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote the letter we now know as “Philemon” for the purpose of reconciling the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus. We do not know why Philemon ran away, but there is some evidence in verse 18 that Onesimus might have stolen something that belonged to Philemon.

Our theme for Advent this season is captured in one word: Waiting. I read an article once that estimated the amount of time we spend waiting. In the United States we collectively wait in line an estimated 37 billion hours each year! That equates to 113 hours per person annually. The average commuter waits in traffic 40-50 hours a year, and we wait on hold with customer service an average of 13 hours per year. That is a lot of waiting!

Each year the Advent season calls us to more waiting as we anticipate the birth of Christ. Ironically enough, the first scripture for the four Sundays in Advent involves not the beginning but the end. In our passage from Mark, Jesus clearly states that no one knows when the end will come, but in the meantime, we should all be alert and keep awake. In the spiritual realm of life, it is quite possible to be “awake” yet not alive. It is so easy to go through the motions in life and not be alive and awake to what God is doing in the world.

Jesus encourages us all to not only keep awake, but to be active participants in what he is accomplishing in the world – especially amid our waiting. Consider the practical ways we can stay awake spiritually and be in partnership with Christ: engaging in real conversation with others, studying scripture, praying, listening, serving, worshiping, noticing and paying attention to those that everyone else dismisses or ignores, etc. God is at work all around us. Keep awake!

Prayer:

Loving God, help us to be aware of what you are doing in our lives and in the world. As we begin the process of waiting for the birth of your Son Jesus Christ during this Advent season, awaken our spirits in love and service. Amen.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:

How does your belief in the hope of resurrection and God’s redemption shape how you live your life today? How does it affect your attitude towards suffering and difficulties?
What are the differences between being “asleep” and being “awake” in a spiritual sense?
How has the practice of waiting in various situations and circumstances helped you in your spiritual journey?

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