It’s a mystery. How God the Son, who is one with God the Father, doesn’t know something the Father knows. How God the Son, who is fully God, and thus is omniscient, is all knowing except for one thing. How God the Son, who one day will come “in clouds with great power and glory” (Mk.13:26), doesn’t know what day that will be. Honestly, I don’t really get it. But then again, if this mortal, earthbound mind could fully comprehend how the Triune God is wired and functions as Three-In-One, He’d probably be more a God of my making than the God who made me. So, for now, by faith, I’ll marvel that the Son doesn’t know when the day of His return will be.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” ~ Jesus

(Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

The Son may not know that day or that hour, but if repetition is the megaphone of God’s word (and I think it is), the Son knows what His followers need to hear. “Keep awake . . . stay awake . . . and what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Don’t fully get the Trinity, but I think I’m picking up what Jesus is laying down here.

Be watchful. Be vigilant. Give strict attention to. “Take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake you” (Online Bible Greek Lexicon). Make sure your head’s in the game.

It’s a command, not a suggestion. It’s in the active voice, something that Jesus’ disciples are expected to be doing not thinking about doing. It’s present tense, for the here and now. Not something to put off until a more convenient day or when I find a bit more time to schedule it in.

Heads up! Jesus says in effect. I’m coming. In power and glory. At any time, though I don’t know exactly when. It might be in the evening. Could be at midnight. Maybe one morning when you’re just starting to rub the sleep outta your eyes. But know this, I am coming and I don’t want you snoozing when I do. And that, for your good, and for My glory.

Yup, lot of stuff about the Godhead I may not get. But this ain’t one of them. Jesus is coming again.

Jesus Is Coming Again

Marvelous message we bring
Glorious carol we sing
Wonderful word of the King
Jesus is coming again

Forest and flower exclaim
Mountain and meadow the same
All earth and heaven proclaim
Jesus is coming again

Standing before Him at last
Trial and trouble all past
Crowns at His feet we will cast
Jesus is coming again

Coming again, coming again
Maybe morning maybe noon
Maybe evening and maybe soon
Coming again, coming again
Oh what a wonderful day it will be
Jesus is coming again

John W. Peterson © 1957. Renewed 1985 John W. Peterson Music Company

Yes He is! Stay awake.

By His grace for His glory.