Introduction
When you go on a trip with
children, one of the questions which is often asked is, “Are we there yet?” We
are interested in similar questions when it comes to the matter of life itself.
The questions we ask are, "When will it happen?" but we also want to
know, “How will we know when it is going to happen? What will it be like? How
will it all happen?”
Sometimes when children ask, “Are
we there yet?” the parents don’t answer the question. When we travelled and our
children asked that question, we would often suggest that we sing a song or
play a game or read a story. These days parents often offer a video. Jesus does
a similar thing in Mark 13 .
He doesn't tell us when, but he does show us how to live until then.
Today we will take a look at Mark 13 in the last message on the
series from the gospel of Mark. It is a chapter which speaks about the
beginning of the end and although we will find that it doesn’t answer some of
our curiosity, it does give us important answers for living in anticipation of
the end.
As we think
about Mark 13 , we need
to remember that it was written following the cleansing of the temple in Mark 11 and the conflict with the
Jewish leaders in Mark 11
and 12. During these days, Jesus left the city at night, but each day he and
his disciples went to the temple. As they walked out of Jerusalem Jerusalem
It must
have been shocking for them to hear Jesus say with great emphasis that “Not one
stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” Not only was
the temple beautiful and strongly built. It was also an institution which was
founded by God and represented the presence of God. The people placed their
spiritual hope on the temple being in their midst. Yet such a condemnation was
appropriate. In Mark 12:9 ,
Jesus had predicted judgment on the Jewish religious leaders because of their
faithlessness. Now he was predicting judgment on the temple because it had
become an institution, not a place to meet God. Significant historical things
are spoken of here and for once the disciples realized this because it is in
response to this warning of coming judgment that they asked questions about
these things which to them would have meant the end.
I. The Questions Asked and How Jesus Responded
As Peter, James, John and Andrew
were sitting on the Mount of Olives with Jesus, looking across the Kidron Valley
at the city of Jerusalem Mark 13:4 . They asked, “When
will this be?” and they asked, “What will be the sign that all these things are
about to be accomplished?”
These questions which the disciples
asked are questions which we continue to ask.
A. When will these things happen?
The first question which they asked
was, “When?”
Oh how we want to know the answer
to that question. I have been a part of many conversations in which this
question has been asked. I have a book which says that the rapture will occur
in 1988…oops. Many people have suggested that everything is pointing to the
return of Jesus very soon. I have listened to people who are looking forward to
something very special, like marriage, and hope that Jesus doesn’t return
before the event happens. I have listened to other people who are facing
difficulty and hope that Jesus comes back before it happens so they don’t have
to face it. We sure would like to know when!
How does Jesus answer that
question? Following the question in verse 4 we eagerly read verse 5 and on
through each verse of the chapter waiting for an answer. Sometimes it seems
like the next line will give an answer, but no answer comes. Finally in Mark 13:32 Jesus answers the
question. What is his answer? His answer is, “I don’t know.” So we come to the
end of the chapter and we realize that Jesus has not answered the question. In
fact he warns against speculating about the answer to that question when he
says in verse 32, “But about that day or hour no one knows…”
It seems kind of disappointing to
read a question that we want an answer to, but find that no answer is given and
that the one whom we are asking doesn’t even know the answer. But that is how
it is. When? We don’t know because Jesus doesn't answer that question.
B. What will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?
The second question is, “What will
be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Once again we
read a question that we would like an answer to. If we can’t know the time,
perhaps there will be some signs which will help us see that the time is near.
Sometimes when we travel to a
location that we are unfamiliar with, we look for signs to tell us that we are
close. I remember traveling once and I had been told that we were to look for a
road right after a lake. We saw a lake and believed that we were almost there.
Quite a long time later we hadn't come across a road and realized that that had
not been the right lake and we needed to look for another one. The sign we were
looking for wasn't clear enough. We want a clear sign to let us know that we
have almost arrived at the end of our journey.
As we read through the text to look
for an answer to that question, once again we are disappointed. Nowhere does
Jesus use the word “sign” or say to the disciples, “Here are the signs.”
When we come to verse 14 it may
seem as if we have found a sign. There we read, “But when you see the
desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be…” But what kind of a sign
is that? What does it mean?
The phrase “desolating sacrilege” is
first encountered in Daniel 9:27
and speaks of some unholy thing inappropriately standing in a holy place. It
speaks of that which is abhorrent to God standing in the place where God
belongs. This phrase has a history in the literature of Israel I Maccabees 1:54 , which is a
book that is not in the Bible, but tells stories of the history of Israel Judea should flee. At that time they will not be able to
prevent the desolating sacrilege from being placed. That exact thing happened
in 70 AD when the Romans, tired of the rebellion of the Jews, attacked and
totally destroyed the nation, Jerusalem Mark 13:2 , and this was the
fulfillment of that prophecy. So in part, Jesus did answer the question about a
sign.
Our question is, “What does this
sign have to do with us?” because the destruction of the temple clearly did not
signal the final end. In some ways the judgment mentioned here seems to go
beyond the destruction of Jerusalem Habakkuk 2:3 we read, “For there
is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not
lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”
In that context Habakkuk was talking about the destruction of Babylon
As we look
for an answer to the question, it seems that Jesus is deliberately ambiguous
about answering the question regarding signs. In fact, he actually warns about
those who announce signs. In Mark
13:22 Jesus says, "False messiahs and false prophets will
appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect."
All of this makes us realize that once again the question, although we want it
answered, is not answered.
II. Living In the End Time
So we see that Jesus did not answer
the questions which the disciples asked, questions we would dearly like
answered. But that does not mean He did not respond with answers that were
useful for the disciples and for us. He gave answers that help us live in light
of what will yet happen. Instead of looking with curiosity for the answers we
want, it would be much better for us to examine this chapter and look for the
answers Jesus wants to give us.
A. With Understanding
One of the most important words
which we need to recognize in this chapter is the word, “watch.” This concept
is repeated numerous times in the passage. It is translated in Mark 13:9 , 23 and 33 as “beware” and
"be alert." The message Jesus gives us is a warning to be aware. It
is a message which invites us to live with understanding of the times we live
in and with an awareness that Jesus will return.
What the disciples at that time did
not seem to understand, but which we can now understand is just how things would
happen in the life of Jesus and beyond. Jesus had told his disciples that He
would be handed over to the Jewish leaders, be killed, and rise the third day. Yet
this opposition of the Jewish religious leaders would not end in victory over
Jesus, but in the destruction of the Jewish religious leaders and the system
they upheld. The temple which was in Jerusalem
Furthermore, Jesus was indicating
that from the time of Jesus' death and resurrection until the day when He
returns is the entire period of the end times. We do not need to wait for the
end times because we are living in them. There is nothing else that needs to
happen before the end. Jesus has accomplished all and the only event we are
still looking for is His return. These are the things which Jesus tells his
disciples when he announces his death and resurrection and warns about the
coming desolating sacrilege and destruction of the temple system. We need to be
aware and understand that we are in the end times now.
The other thing about which Jesus
warns His disciples, and us, is the nature of these times. Much of the content
of what Jesus is saying in these verses deals with these warnings. He is
telling us that in this end time in which we live there will be people who will
seek to deceive and warns, "don’t be fooled by them." He is saying
that there will be wars but that they do not signal the end. He communicates
that there will be earthquakes and famines but that we shouldn’t be alarmed by
them. All of these things are simply the times we live in, they are not signs
of the end. Jesus also lets His people know that there will be persecution but
encourages us, “don’t stop being witnesses for Jesus.”
When Jesus warns “be aware” He is
saying that we need to understand the times we live in. We are in the end
times. Wars, deceivers, earthquakes, persecution will all be a part of these
times. They do not mean that Jesus has already come and they do not mean that
we have missed Jesus. They are signs of the end only in the sense that they
will exist throughout the period of the end. In fact in Mark 13:5 , 6 we learn that deceivers are
the ones who say that these are signs. Instead, these words of Jesus are a call
to endure to the end.
The words
of Jesus in this chapter help us to live with understanding in this present
time, even when it does not look as if Jesus is winning. That is the question
which Jesus answers, and it is a much needed answer. We need to know that Jesus
is still Lord and will return more than we need to have our curiosity satisfied
about when it will happen or what signs will reveal it. Geddert says, “These
texts are functioning as intended when they lead believers to trust God’s
sovereign care in ambiguous times. Then they can hope in God’s future so
passionately that necessary sacrifices in this life are readily embraced for
Christ’s sake.”
B. With Hope
In this section we are also given a
word of hope in light of all the difficulties and trials which will mark the
end times in which we are living.
In Mark 13:24-27 , we have a
wonderful word of promise. We read that in those days the end will come. When
will it come? We don’t know. What will be the signs of its coming? We don’t
know. What we do know is that the end will come. In God’s time a great
cataclysm will reveal the final day. At that time the sun will be darkened, the
moon will not shine and the physical world, as we know it will be destroyed.
This destruction of the physical world is not a sign, but is what will happen
accompanying the return of Jesus. Then we will experience the great promise
which Jesus made when he stood with his disciples before He ascended into
heaven. We read in Mark 13:26 ,
“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and
glory. " The glorious hope we have, the wonderful promise we rejoice in is
that Jesus is going to come back. His return will be marked “with great power
and glory.” Everything we have hoped for will be fulfilled and revealed at that
time. He will reign with power and great glory. He will gather all God's people
from every corner of the earth.
This announcement encourages us
with a great word of hope. Jesus is coming back again! So instead of satisfying
our curiosity about signs and times, Jesus gives us a word of assurance and
hope. Jesus is coming back.
C. With Confidence
The next section gives us another
word about how to live in this in between time.
The lesson from the fig tree, mentioned in Mark 13:28 , has often been
interpreted to encourage us to look for a sign. It says that the tenderness of
the shoots in a plant is a sign that summer is near. Many have taken that as a
word that we need to watch out for the right signs. But that is a difficult
interpretation because the text does not point to any signs and warns us about
the danger of seeking signs, so the parable about the fig tree must mean
something else.
What should come quickly to mind is
the previous parable of the fig tree. In Mark 11 , Jesus cursed a fig tree. When we studied that,
we recognized that Jesus was speaking a parable about the deadness that was in
the temple. There he indicated that the temple system was cursed because it was
no longer a place to meet God. In Mark
13:2 , Jesus expands on God’s judgment on the corrupt temple and
its leaders. The reason Jesus mentions this is that for the disciples the
destruction of the temple, would have been devastating. But the assurance of
the parable of the fig tree is that God’s plan for His people has not died with
the destruction of the temple. What the parable of the fig tree says is that
the tree which was assumed to be dead, has not died. What Jesus was saying is
that the fig tree that was cursed is not dead. Jesus was promising that God
will make a new place for His kingdom which will include all those who follow
Jesus. A new group of leaders will replace the corrupt Jewish religious leaders
and that is the disciples who follow Jesus. When we understand the parable of
the fig tree in that way, it becomes much easier to understand how Jesus could
say that all these things would happen in this generation. The church was
established in that generation and all of the trials which have come upon the
world and the church including persecution began happening in that time.
After assuring them that God’s
people would continue, Jesus gave them one more word of promise in Mark 13:31 where He said,
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
Once again we realize that although we do not have an answer to questions of
when and what signs, we do have an assurance that God’s plan will certainly
unfold as He has indicated. Therefore, the lesson of the fig tree is a promise
that God is continuing to build His kingdom. Therefore, we can live with
confidence in this time.
D. With Faithfulness
So Mark 13 helps us understand that we can live in the
present time with understanding, hope and confidence. Because those things are
true, we are also called to live with faithfulness. The final parable is about
a man who goes away and leaves his house in charge of his servants. The parable
talks about the servants doing their “assigned tasks.” We are those servants
and the key idea is that because we don’t know what time the Lord of the house
will return, we need to continue in faithfulness doing the work which He has
left us to do.
In Mark 13:10 we read, "And
the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations." Many times this
has been taken as a sign. But we have already established that Jesus does not
give us a sign in this text. Rather than a sign, I think we need to understand
this as an assignment. The word “it is necessary,” translated "must"
in NRSV, is a key idea from Scripture that communicates a divine necessity. So
when it says that the gospel "must" be preached in the whole world,
we should not take that as a sign that Jesus will come when that has happened.
Rather, we need to take it as an assignment which should occupy our time until
Jesus comes. The next verse about knowing what to say in the context of
persecution makes much more sense in that context. The reality in which we live
in this present time is that the gospel will be rejected by many and those who
proclaim the gospel will be persecuted. But if we know that when that happens
the Holy Spirit will help us witness, then we can also be encouraged to keep on
witnessing no matter what happens. The call then is a call to be faithful in
the task of witnessing, which the Lord has left us as His servants.
So the final warning and challenge
and encouragement to all those who follow Jesus is that in light of the unknown
timing, but certainty of the return of Christ, we must not be sleeping.
Therefore, the question which each of us must ask of ourselves is, “am I where
God wants me?” “Will God find me doing what He has left me to do when He
returns?”
Jesus tells
us, “you do not know when.” Therefore, “Be on guard, Be alert!” What does it
mean to be alert? It means that we should be careful not to get too caught up
in the things of this world. If our life in this world is more important to us
than our assignment from Jesus, we might find that we are asleep. It means that
our primary job is not being a mother, or teacher, or doctor, or student, but
while doing any one of those jobs our primary job is being a servant of Jesus.
If we have set being a servant of Jesus aside as an avocation which we pursue
when we have time, we may be found sleeping. So keep awake!
Conclusion
When mom and dad don’t answer the
question “are we there yet?” are the children disappointed? Perhaps. But if mom
and dad provide meaningful activity for the journey, will the children be
occupied and forget about their question? Probably.
Jesus does
not want us to focus on the “when” and the “what signs” question. If that were
our focus, it would be far too easy to look for the signs and leave following
Jesus until just before the end. So Jesus left the answer to these questions
deliberately ambiguous. Instead, Jesus has left us with some important
information.
We know
that we are in the last days and that they will be days in which wars, earthquakes
and persecution happen. We know that God’s kingdom is being established through
the new temple of
Jesus
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