Today’s Reading: Mark 13:28-37; Psalm 121 & 123
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.” – Mark 13:28
That is exactly where we are right now, isn’t it? The weather fluctuates between warm and cold from day to day, but there are signs all around us that summer is approaching. The calendar tells us it is spring, and the buds on the trees remind us that nature is waking up, even while we still see occasional snowflakes in the air. The bulbs have pushed new growth above the surface of the earth, and the birds are singing in anticipation. Spring is here and summer is near.
“In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” – Mark 13:29-31
Jesus was speaking about the day he will return to earth, and today we join his disciples in trying to comprehend everything he was saying. There is a sense of warning in his words regarding the future, but also a promise that brings hope to the hearts of those whose eyes are fixed on Jesus.
THE SON OF MAN WILL RETURN AGAIN.
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world — from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. – Mark 13:26-27
What a magnificent moment this will be! I close my eyes and attempt to picture what this day will look like but, even on my most imaginative days, I cannot comprehend the majesty of Christ’s return. I do know that I don’t want to miss it, for it will be unlike anything we have ever experienced before. The anticipation of Christ’s coming is growing as the darkness of sin presses in and the glory of revival breaks out across our nation.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” – Mark 13:32-33
BE ON GUARD! STAY ALERT! WATCH FOR THE SON OF MAN!
“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” – Mark 13:34-37
While we wait for the return of Jesus, there is work to be done — work Jesus assigned to us while here on earth. We are to preach the message of salvation to others; we are to live each day allowing the Spirit of God to speak through us so that others may know the good news — that Jesus died so that our sins can be forgiven, that Jesus rose so that we can experience life, and that Jesus is coming back again to gather his chosen ones from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven!
This message won’t be accepted by all. There will be many who do not want to hear about the hope of salvation, and we will be persecuted for our faith. Our freedom of religion is already fading as the world loses patience with our moral standards. But Mark 13 is a great reminder for us that this intolerance for Christianity is a great opportunity to allow the Spirit to move through us in ways we cannot produce of our own human efforts.
“When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” – Mark 13:9-11
So do not worry in advance, but rather respond in each situation to what God is telling you to say. Be on guard, stay alert, and watch for the moment when Jesus will return. Keep your eyes on God and know that He never sleeps nor slumbers. He is watching over us; the God of mercy is standing beside us.
I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had our fill of contempt.
We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant. – Psalm 123:1-4
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. – Psalm 121:5-8