WITNESS TO THEM ON ACCOUNT OF ME

Mark 13:1-13 / Keywords 13:9-10

"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. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

 

13:1 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.

1. The disciples were impressed by the magnificence of the temple complex. But Jesus predicted it’s destruction. God had rejected it as a den of robbers (11:17) and was building a new temple on Jesus the cornerstone (12:10). The disciples saw the temple as the center of God’s activity. Therefore, its destruction could only mean the end of the world. They asked Jesus: When will it happen? What signs should we look for? Jesus focused on how to respond to current events and persecutions. What was God doing through these events?

 

2. Jesus’ impending crucifixion would leave them vulnerable to deception. Current events are riddled with wars and natural disasters, causing alarm. This has been the situation for 2,000 years. Jesus says, “Watch out! Do not be alarmed!” We must protect our hearts and live by faith in Jesus.

 

3. The world hates Jesus and hates those who follow him (Jn 15:18-20). Persecutions will come, both in society and even in our own families. God wants all people to hear the gospel (10). Many don’t know or misunderstand it until it is preached to them (Ro 10:9). Jesus encourages us to stand firm to the end as his witness. We respond with love, blessing, and live as peacemakers in a violent and lonely age.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for the gospel through which I’m saved. Help me guard my heart and keep my eyes on Jesus, sharing the gospel today.

One Word Do not be alarmed, be a witness