Watch

Christ sums up his discussion of the end times and his return by repeating to his disciples what he wants them (and all the rest of his followers) to do: "And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch" (Mark 13.37).

We notice that Christ's summary is clearly not directed only at the disciples to whom he is speaking. He speaks these words to all. I am tempted to say that by all, he meant every person, because, even those who were not his followers, and who did not believe in him would be affected by Christ's return. Most likely it was a comment directed at all of his followers.

Watch means "to stay awake or be watchful," or "to be on the alert." It's pretty clear that here Christ means for his followers to be on the alert for his coming. They ought not to be taken by surprise. For we who follow Christ two thousand years later, the application is no different. We ought to be on the alert for, pray for, be expectant for, Christ's return.

Watch and Pray

Christ's instructions to Peter, John, and James after they had fallen asleep while he was praying. He tells them: "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt 26.41, KJV).

This is truth which obviously extends to every believer—the disciples would learn this lesson well. The antidote to falling into temptation is to watch and pray and we should pay very close attention to this statement. The word that the KJV translates "watch" means "to stay on the alert," which was an obvious reference to them falling asleep. However, I think that Christ has a double meaning here of both "watch so you don't fall asleep," but also "watch yourselves so that you don't fall away from following me."

The twin antidotes to falling into temptation is to carefully watch your life so that you turn away from every from of evil, and to pray. We would do well as followers of Christ to listen to his words and act.