What a blessing to be together this first Sunday of Lent. As a part of the teaching for this season, Pastor Dale brought us back to the book of Mark as we looked at one of the most difficult chapters in the New Testament, Mark 13. From beginning to end, the text references ancient Jewish history and Jewish ideas and presents them in a non-linear way which for the modern reader, can be quite hard to understand. That said, as followers of Jesus, we shouldn't disregard this chapter as it is a source of many ideas about the second coming of Jesus.
Pastor Dale outlined five threads the scripture contains.
- There are prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem. (Mark 13:1-2, 14-20)
- There is a warning of persecution to come. (Mark 13:9-13)
- There are warnings of the dangers of the last days. (Mark 13:3-6, 21-22)
- There are warnings of the second coming. (Mark 13:24-27)
- There are warnings of the necessity to be on the watch. (Mark 13:28-37)
If we are living in the shadow of eternity with the constant possibility of the intervention of God, if the times in the seasons are known, only to God, there is the necessity ever to be ready. Our impatience attacks watching, guarding, and listening. We drift to things.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:33-34 NIV
When we seek God first, we become watchers. We are guarding. We are alert. That is what this season of Lent can do for us. Together we can pay attention to what we hunger for. Together we can confess and turn from the things we consume, thinking it will sustain us. Together we can encourage each other and remind each other to stay with Jesus.
POWERED BY BLUBRRY
