SCRIPTURE: Mark 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. [Mark 13:10] Jesus seems to have different priorities than us. As He describes the end time, He is more concerned that the message is preached than that the messengers are kept safe and comfortable. He notes that His followers (the elect or called ones) cannot be deceived [Mark 13:22], but He does not say that they will not suffer. On the contrary, we warns them that it is going to be really tough, even heart-breaking, devastating, awful.
Christians have often gotten bogged down in the interpretation of these end time sayings of Jesus. He seems to be describing both the immediate happenings of that century (the fall of Rome), but also the absolute end of time when He returns to gather His called ones. Twenty centuries have passed since these words were first spoken? How do we make sense of this? How do we interpret the intervening course of history? Is the budding fig tree mentioned [Mark 13:28] the restoration of the state of Israel? Are we the generation that has witnessed this, therefore the end is at hand?
I don’t have strong ideas about these things. To be honest, I can’t make sense of much of the end time sayings, here or in the book of Revelation. I’m OK with that. I do know what Jesus prioritized for us, to be His faithful messengers until His return. He’s given us His calling, He’s given us His Spirit, He’s given us His promise that our mission cannot fail. He’s placed us when and where we are, to fulfill this task. The last thing He wants us to do is debate the details of the end times. He is calling us to witness, not to argue.
We focus on different things than Jesus – on impressive buildings, on safety and protection, on being blessed. We hate hardship and suffering, so we control our lives, our churches, and our interpretations of the bible so that we can avoid them (**my take on the ‘rapture’ is that its just another attempt to avoid suffering by comfortable, middle class christians; all over the world christians are going through unspeakable persecution, and then we talk about being raptured before the tribulation???).
Jesus has given us a job to do. We need to be alert and faithful, aware of the crisis but even more aware of the calling. The question at the end of time will not be “did you understand My predictions” or “did you obey my calling”. It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. [Matthew 24:46]
PRAYER:
Lord I don’t understand how your return will be, but I do understand what You want me to do in the meantime. Help me to be faithful.
Living for Jesus each and every day in His world, His vineyard, is my task each and every day. I must be on my guard, focussed on my task, purposefully working for Him in all I do and say. The Word for today tells me that there will be persecution, but the Lord God will give His people the words to speak. The Master will return to the vineyard. How have I taken care of what is His?
I do not know the when of His return. The time is unknown. Although the world around me does not acknowledge the Master, although in the world around me there are wars and killings and unfaithful living, I must focus my eyes on Jesus and do my daily work in His power and might until the day I meet Him face to face – whether that be as I am working in His kingdom or when He calls me home.
Help me daily Lord in my pilgrim’s progress.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!