Mark 13:1-8 – the end is here. Not!

This is the kind of passage we preachers would rather just skip over. If we talk about the end of the world we run the risk of being lumped with the end times loonies who construct elaborate chronologies by cutting and pasting Bible verses from here or there. If we talk about faithfulness in the midst of suffering we run the risk of presenting a melancholic Christianity that won’t exactly pack out the pews.

Mark 13, otherwise known as ‘the Olivet Discourse,’ is for a limited audience. The same was true even in Jesus’ day. This was not a teaching for the masses or even the 12 disciples. This teaching was given to Peter, James, John, and Andrew alone. Additionally, it isn’t just about predicting the future. It’s about revealing Jesus. Mark progressively reveals Jesus as Teacher, Prophet, Messiah, Son of Man, Son of David, and Son of God. It’s getting increasingly difficult to stomach the self-claims of this carpenter from Galilee.

On the one hand, the apocalyptic language about abominations of desolation (verse 14) or stars falling from heaven (verse 25) may cause you to think that Jesus comes from a subculture that you want no part of. On the other hand, there is a deep realism to the reality presented here. We know that the tame and tasty ‘Hallmark gospel’ so often presented is wishful thinking. In the name of the Good News, we promise people joy, peace, rest, and security. No such fairy tales here. Jesus tells it like it is, and we can relate.

• The breakdown of religion (verses 2, 6 and 9)
• Political failure, wars, and international violence (verses 7, 8 and 11)
• Natural disasters (verse 8 )
• Familial betrayal (verse 12)

Ahhh … this is the world we love and know. This is home. At least it is for a good many people who inhabit this planet.

So all this talk of the future isn’t so much about figuring out when the end will come. It’s about how to live as the end is coming. The disciples asked Jesus, ‘When will the end come?’ (verse 4) Jesus answered, ‘Beats me.’ (verse 32) Though many predict that the current economic trouble, the wars in the Middle East and Africa, and natural disasters all point to a soon end, Jesus says, ‘Nah … don’t sweat that stuff. This is just the beginning of sorrows.’ (verse 8 )

Thanks, Jesus. I feel better now.

But actually, there are four commands in this promise. Instructions on how to live during these times.

• Be careful of religious deceivers (verses 5-6).
• Do not be troubled by all the violence (verse 7).
• Watch yourself and your own testimony when it costs to be a disciple (verse 9).
• Don’t worry about how you’ll answer when you’re on trial (verse 11)

And these instructions are related to the hope – yes, hope – that Jesus offers. God will intervene in this mess of a world we live in. How?

• Through the preaching of the gospel that results from this persecution (verse 10).
• Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit who will give us words of courage and wisdom as we’re led to jail, the gallows, and the firing squad (verse 11).
• And that if we hang on to our faith through all this darkness, we will be saved (verse 13).

In his version, Luke says it in quite an ironic manner: ‘They will put some of you to death. But not a hair of your head will be lost.’ (Luke 21:16, 18 )

Huh?

One way to understand discipleship is to see it as preparation for living in a violent world that is opposed to those who choose to live under the reign of God. How well are we doing at that?

There’s another discussion about whether or not Jesus was referring to the coming destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in AD 70 (the Jewish 9/11), or whether this describes entirely future events. I’d suggest that, like so many of the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament, it’s both/and.

Ironically, this is the passage we read as the movie 2012 is released in theaters.