Read Mark 13 here… https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13&version=NIV
Happy Maundy Thursday! We are two chapters past Palm Sunday in Mark, but this takes place after he cleans out the temple so it’s like Monday or Tuesday of Holy week when this dialogue takes place and the themes here are the darkest we’ve seen yet. 4 of the disciples, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, two sets of brothers ask Jesus about what the end times will be and Jesus points not to his own end time which was in a sense coming that week, but something that sounds scary not for him, but for all of us. Wars, famines, deception, earthquakes, and the disciples will end up going on trial, but don’t worry about what to say God will give the right words. He doesn’t say anything about don’t worry about persecution but what to say. Maybe the persecution won’t be that big of a deal if you’re saying God’s truth. It’s easier to stand up to people even if it means punishment when you know you’re right, speaking up for truth, and helping others. All of these were true for the disciples. There’s a reason more people are afraid of public speaking than death and Jesus apparently knew this so he calmed both fears for them!
Then Jesus says something incredible. He says there’s something he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know when the last day will be. God the father does but he does not. So when a tv preacher says this will be the end- they’re just guessing. They don’t have information Jesus doesn’t have!
Then he says simply- keep watch! Don’t sleep. I don’t know if we’re supposed to be ultimately focused on the last day so much. I think we’re supposed to focus on today because it could be our last. If Jesus were to come back right now- what would Jesus find us doing? I would hope it’d be something good. Something like serving my neighbor, my church, or my family. That’s not to say we can’t do the mundane of playing video games or enjoying a Lutheran beverage at a bar but you have to think through your witness at all times. Then whatever comes at the end times- we can stand proud knowing that Jesus forgiveness and grace has changed us from the inside out. Clearly there will be times when we don’t use all our time the best, mistakes happen, but the goal then is to quickly repent to ask forgiveness and look to Him for absolution and the ability to change to make us new and right.
So keep watch today! Enjoy Bethlehem’s Maundy Thursday service online here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LIh5MqsPWc&t=52s and commune in a way that fits best for the unique time we have today it may not be the Last supper maybe it’s footwashing your kids in the bath- maybe it’s with a few friends online in a conversation, maybe it’s individual communion at church, but Maundy Thursday is a day for close friends to unite in some way. Thank you for uniting and communing with me in a sense by reading through God’s word together today!
Marking It Up 