Sign of the Times
We’re impatient. We want to know when something is going to happen. We want to plan and prepare.
Jesus’ disciples want to know when the destruction that Jesus has spoken about will happen.
Mark 13:1-8
The Temple Will Be Destroyed
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look at these beautiful stones and wonderful buildings!”
2 Jesus replied, “Do you see these huge buildings? They will certainly be torn down! Not one stone will be left in place.”
Warning about Trouble
3 Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him in private. 4 They asked, “When will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
5 Jesus answered:
Watch out and don’t let anyone fool you! 6 Many will come and claim to be me. They will use my name and fool many people.
7 When you hear about wars and threats of wars, don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end. 8 Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. There will be earthquakes in many places, and people will starve to death. But this is just the beginning of troubles.
They need to know. What are they to look out for? How will they know it is happening?
There are always those who will tell us that, “The end of the world is nigh”. People who look at what is happening around and say surely this must be the time. But Jesus quite clearly tells his disciples that it is not that easy to tell. We will not know when the end is coming – and we mustn’t let anyone fool us into thinking that they do know.
What is important is to make sure that we are ready. Not to spend out time speculating on whether this is it or not, but to make sure we are ready today. We never know what is going to happen in our lives any day, we do not know when our personal last day might be.
- Are you ready to meet God?
- What might you need to do to be ready?
Oh Lord,
you know that I like to know,
I want details,
specifics.
Help me to trust you
with the bigger picture;
but also to be ready
for what you are going to do
in me today.
Pam's Perambulation 