July 13. Mark 13. Bretany Carr

The End Times

When I hear this I feel like the “dun dun dun!” sound effect goes off in my brain! And maybe rightly so, Jesus is using one of his last days on earth to warn the disciples about the destruction, death, and pain that will come at some unknown time in the future. Now I can definitely relate to the disciples' questions of “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”(v. 4) Jesus had just told them about a very drastic event that would be happening and their immediate response was, out of fear, wanting to know the details to have some sort of control of the situation. Personally, I can relate to this because I love having a plan and knowing what is coming up in life, especially if it is an important event or big change. And like the disciples my want for control and knowledge can be driven by fear and leads me to not trust God. But in this story and many other times in the bible Jesus does not give them the answers they want, instead he tells them the exact opposite “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (vs 32) This demonstration of God's control forces us to trust in his plan and wait for the fulfilment of his will. This is something we will always have to wrestle with as disciples, our lives are not our own. Our life here on earth and whenever the end times may come are all under God's control and we must humbly surrender to his plan. 

    But now as scary as an unknown life and a looming end of destruction may be, Jesus does give us instructions in this passage.”Be on your guard and stay alert!” (vs 33) “Keep watch!” (v. 36) And in verse 34 he uses the example of a man going away and leaving his servants with assigned tasks. As disciples we have assigned tasks and a purpose given to us to fulfill during our lives on earth which is made clear by Jesus In verse 10 “And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.” We don't have to live a life of anxious waiting and fear of the unknown because we have a hope and a purpose. We can work to fulfill this purpose and still be on guard watching for Jesus’ return in faithful expectation while still being sober to his control and power.