A Common Question

Mark 13:1-8

Have you ever considered what a good question could produce, often you and I answer questions with such shallow answers, but not Jesus, His response provoked deep thought?  It was a statement by one of the disciples that caused Peter, James, John, and Andrew to ask Jesus a question privately and it is still asked today.  Shall we begin in verses 1&2; “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.”

Jesus is not talking about one building but a complex of buildings built over a period of fifty years.  This happened in 70 A.D. by the Romans, and Josephus the Jewish historian tells us that some of the stones were 60 feet long.  So far the most significant one found has been 42 feet long, 11 feet high, and 14 feet deep, weighing over a million pounds.  (Information from HCSB page 1710 in notes)

So what was the question these four disciples wanted an answer to, and why is it still being asked?  Tell us when these things will happen, and the reason we still want the same answer as they did.  Now our scope may have changed, for we are not asking anymore about the temple complex, but we, like them want to know the signs of the end of the age.  It is my understanding Jesus used this earlier destruction of the temple complex to foreshadow the end of time.

The first thing Jesus told them is to watch out for deceivers, O’ how important that message is to a culture like ours, where it has little understanding of the Scriptures and not much about even the history of the last 100 years.  The society we live in can quickly be sold a lie, for seeking truth is not the aim, but the focus is on things and entrainment.  Jesus tells them many will come in Jesus name, proclaiming I am He, and Jesus tells us they will deceive many.  Then we go to verse 7-8; “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.” 

Many claim to be Christians, but few are a follower of Christ, but tomorrow we will look at the cost of being a disciple or follower of Christ.  Also, we will look into the great tribulation that is coming, and it is coming soon, very soon.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice