The exhortation to watch implies that there is danger, and if our Lord says to all, "Watch," all must be exposed to it. And danger there is; nay, dangers manifold there are on all sides of us.
I. The interests at stake are unspeakably great. Let any opportunity slip, and there is so much lost for eternity. Let all your opportunities slip, and heaven itself is lost. You may seek to enter in, but shall not be able you shall find the gate shut.
II. We are ever in danger of surprisal. Opportunities of promoting our own spiritual progress, the good of others and God's glory, often present themselves unexpectedly, and just as unexpectedly pass away; and therefore we must watch. Very frequently, too, temptation presents itself at an unexpected time, and in an unexpected form, and we must watch. Satan meets men when they least expect him, and we ought to watch.
III. Satan ever comes in disguise, and ever adopts that disguise which seems least apt to excite suspicion. He comes to the flock of Christ in sheep's clothing; sometimes in the clothing of a shepherd; yea, at times he seems transformed into an angel of light. We must watch. That is the condition of our safety. For here we as spiritual beings are in constant danger, and can be preserved only as the birds of the air are preserved, by constant watchfulness.
IV. If you keep in view the one great object our Lord commands us to be looking for, you will be watchful in all things. It is His coming again. He comes to judge the world, and He comes to reckon with each individual. Your Master has gone into a far country. Your eye for the present sees Him not; but you have each a charge given by Him. Each of you has his appointed work. You are to watch for His coming, and at any hour He may come.
W. Nicholson, Redeeming the Time,p. 55.
References: Mark 13:6. H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, Sunday Sermonettes for a Year,p. 8; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. i., p. 280; vol. v., p. 237; J. M. Neale, Sermons for Children,p. 79. Mark 13 W. Hanna, Our Lord's Life on Earth,p. 418. Mark 14:1-11. H. M. Luckock, Footprints of the Son of Man,p. 295.Mark 14:1-72. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. ii., p. 156.