Our lectionary text this week is the penultimate in our Christian year. It’s interesting that we face an apocalyptic text when we will also do so the first Sunday in Advent. Is this something we should be actively worried about? Is this imminent? Should we be watching the skies for an asteroid or for the opening of the heavens?
If we ask these questions, we may be echoing the disciples. When Jesus says the temple will fall, the disciples ask the same thing: Is this imminent? When will this happen? I have to wonder at the motivations of the disciples in asking these questions. Are they afraid, or is is there something else that inspires their questions? And if our questions are the same, I have to wonder at our motivations too.
Mark 13:1-8
1 As Jesus left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What awesome stones and buildings!”
2 Jesus responded, “Do you see these enormous buildings? Not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.”
3 Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? What sign will show that all these things are about to come to an end?”
5 Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ They will deceive many people. 7 When you hear of wars and reports of wars, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet. 8 Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be earthquakes and famines in all sorts of places. These things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end.
Consider these questions:
- How do you imagine the disciples responded to Jesus’ declaration that the great buildings would be thrown down (v. 2)?
- Why do you think people are fascinated about the timing of the “end times?”
- How is this passage about who we trust and follow?
- How can spiritual and religious people today be discerning about who we follow?
- How can wisdom and discernment give us perspective on the seemingly chaotic events that we encounter? How will this help us to live our lives as though Jesus makes a difference to (and in) us?