THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:32-37 “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” (Mark 13:36) Have you heard the phrase ‘sleeping on the job’? Usually this doesn’t happen when the boss is watching. We are Jesus’ servants, put in charge of His kingdom until He returns. Each one of us is gifted for…
Keep looking up! (again)
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:28-31 “When you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.”(Mark 13:29) Some people see the fig tree as symbol of the nation Israel. When Israel shows life again (1948, Israel restored as nation), the end is near. The generation that saw this should prepare for…
Keep looking up!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:24-27 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26) Jesus now shifts His focus to the last days when He will return. He quotes Isaiah 13:10 (or Isaiah 34:4), the final judgment, the “day of the Lord”. On that day the Son…
So be on your guard!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:14-23 “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23) Jesus is using the language of a prophet here. Prophets would use hyperbole (extreme language) to strengthen their point. They would also blur imminent and end of time events, tying them together as ‘part of the…
Spirit-enabled witnesses!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:9-13 “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” (Mark 13:10) Why are we still living in this messed up world? Why doesn’t Jesus protect us from betrayal, arrest, flogging and death? Apparently Jesus needs us for a job: to let the nations know the good news. Jesus’ followers (not…
The darker the times, the brighter we shine!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:3-8 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.” (Mark 13:7) I often hear Christians today say that we must be in the last days. Terrorism, the middle east crisis, economic upheaval, increasing natural disasters. When we lose a sense of history, we see our own times…
Treasures that last!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:1-2 “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Mark 13:2) So many things that we love will not last forever. That brand new car… will one day be sold for scrap. The new brand name jacket… will wind up in a thrift store. That…
Jesus notices!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:41-44 “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44) Who are the heroes of our day, millionaire philanthropists, celebrities fighting for a cause? Prominent Christian leaders who preach faith, hope and love in this world of darkness?…
Warning for religious abusers!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:38-40 “These men will be punished most severely.” (Mark 12:40) God created us for a purpose, to share His love and blessing with others for Him. Imagine God’s pain when He sees His servants using Him to oppress others. All people as sinners are guilty of hurting others in one way or…
Lord of lords!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:35-37 “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand…’” (Mark 12:36, Psalm 110:1) The Hebrew name for God (YHWH, Exodus 3:14) is translated ‘Lord’ (kyrios) in Greek. The Hebrew for ‘master’ (Adonai, used by slaves, subjects) is also translated ‘Lord’. Psalm 110:1 here literally says ‘YHWH says to my master’. Many Christians…