A PRIVATE WORD
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Opening Prayer
Almighty God, you made and sustain the world. As I consider the vastness and intricacies of your creation, I marvel that you love and care for me.
Read MARK 13:1–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
At the beginning of a big project, how confidently do you work and wait for the end result?
Many times I’ve stood in front of a building and marveled at its design, construction, and artistry. So it is with the unnamed disciple looking back at the Jerusalem Temple, a wonder of the Roman world and a symbol of God’s presence with his people. Jesus’ enigmatic comment on the building’s total destruction comes as a jolt in more senses than one. Later, an explanation is requested by Jesus’ closest quartet.
In reply, Jesus paints a picture of a world of imposters, wars, natural disasters, hostility, persecution, and family betrayal. Sandwiched in between these stark disclosures are words of encouragement: ‘do not be alarmed’ (v. 7), ‘the beginning of birth-pains’ (v. 8), ‘do not worry’ (v. 11), ‘it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit’ (v. 11). Finally, there is the mind-blowing (to an orthodox Jew) revelation that the gospel will be preached to all nations. Even the despised gentiles will be given the opportunity to enter the fold. Yes, there is a hazardous world to come, Jesus says, but God’s hand is present. He will not desert his people.
For the early readers of Mark’s gospel, the picture painted by Jesus matched their experience. The siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD would have been fresh in their minds. For many readers, the reality of wars, natural disasters, and persecution during the reigns of the emperors Claudius and Nero were vivid memories, if not present events. God, however, will not desert his people. To us, as we read about the world news—war, natural disasters, bogus Messiahs (political and religious), and a fragmented society—the message is the same: God will not desert his people.
Apply
Paul expands Jesus’ image of childbirth.1 It’s painful, it’s messy, it’s chaotic—but the birth is promised. God will bring in his kingdom. Grasp the hope!
Closing prayer
Lord, you came into a world that was stressed, strained, and broken. Bring me reassurance that you are still in control.
1 Rom 8:22
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