Mark 13:1-13
2/4/24
Expect Opposition
13 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
So why does Jesus tell them these things?
– They think Jesus is about to triumph once and for all, he is resetting expectations.
– Their view of the Messiah is not quite right, even if they know Jesus is God.
– He is preparing them for the things to come
– He doesn’t want them to lose heart when the temple is destroyed.
What good does it do us to know it?
– Obviously rejoice in seeing that what he says comes true. Evidence for the legitimacy
– It reinforces God’s character, that He is in control and keeps his promises.
– How we should trust God for guidance and security, God seldom does things the way we would draw it up.
– I hope this text gives you assurance that in the face of opposition and rejection, we have the lords spirit in us and will carry us through.
Application – three themes, pulled from the text
Endure – 13 “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
– How do we endure? What are the things that distract you?
– Marathon runners don’t just “not get tired”. They train. They pace themselves. They are disciplined and have a regimen.
– They have goals. Do you know where you want to be?
– Run the race at a consistent speed, rhythm and discipline.
Hold fast to the straight path – 5 “See that no one leads you astray.”
– Surround yourself in good company. Harder to get lost in a pack. Be with Christians
– Know the truth. Study his words, don’t let the only time you open your bible be at church on Sunday. Study it on your own.
– Does the world hate you? Don’t pick fights for your own sake, but if you get along with the world, and you feel like you fit in, are you the person Jesus is talking about?
– Is your path straight at that point, if you don’t feel the tension between you & world?
Be the new temple – 11 “for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
– Are you living a life empowered?
– God now lives inside you, be a light. Evangelize.
– Jesus used the conversations of the people around him to teach. Having the holy spirit should encourage us to look for similar opportunities.
– Jesus knew that because of the persecution the disciples would face they would be able to share the good news with very important people. When you find yourself in those situations, do you let the spirit move?