"Keeping Alert" - Teaching on Mark 13:24-37

The world as we know it will not go on for ever. There will come a time when the earth’s degradation and the culmination of God’s purposes will align and Jesus will come again.

Having sought to deflect the disciples from any thought of particular timing, and convict them of the need to be faithful in the midst of anything that happens in life, Jesus returns to their question at the beginning of the chapter, and says here in verse 32: “But about that day, or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”. What clearer message do we need that we are not meant to know exactly when! Jesus himself (in his human form) didn’t even know, and probably didn’t even want to know! It is enough to know that the day will eventually come, that God has got this perfectly under control, but it cannot be predicted.

Why … because if room was left for us to debate this, it would likely become a major distraction, as it has proven to be for many over the centuries. We have enough to think about with all the demands of life combined with the call to naturally and faithfully live out the Christian life day by day.

And of course there should not be any motivating factor in this. If we need to know that it is coming next week to become urgent about sharing the gospel with our lost friends, then we really have to look at ourselves. If someone doesn’t know Jesus, how could it be any more urgent than it already is!

The earth is fragile, especially when you factor in what humankind has managed to invent to do great harm to it, or neglected to do and thus put the world in danger. In a way the earth has always been fragile, after all it orbits around in space not attached to anything. It continues to spin at just the right distance from the sun only by the grace of God.

So from the time of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension back to God, the end has been nigh. So much so that even Jesus seemed to think that he would return within the same generation of his going. And no wonder, with the advanced level of evil that Jesus had to endure in his life. Other biblical writers viewed the world in similar ways – surely it can’t be allowed to get any worse than this! Yet God’s compassion for humankind is unabated, God’s hope for broad-based renewal continues. God is seeking endlessly to find relationship with each person born, and for them in turn to relate well with their physical and social environment.

Many have tried to specifically put a date to the end, and obviously they have all been proven wrong, often at great embarrassment to the Christian community. The Bible gives very little direct information about the future (just some word-pictures quite difficult to interpret); what it largely commends is living faithfully in the present … and trustingly concerning the future.

So we should continue to take seriously our responsibility for God’s gift of a living environment and seek to look after it. Thus we have grounds for even more concern about climate change, lack of water and nuclear technology than others might, and even more of a mandate to take positive action concerning such matters.

And we don’t send out missionaries to hasten Jesus’ return, we actually want to see the gospel proclaimed simply because we love people and are concerned about their state of being.

We simply do not know when the end will come (and much about what that entails … what ever does "heaven and earth will pass away" mean anyway – "earth" okay, but "heaven" passing away?). We shouldn’t even try that much to unravel such a thing – Jesus simply says: “Beware, keep alert”.

The passage commences with Jesus citing words from Isaiah concerning the destruction of Babylon long before the time of Jesus, indicating that the sinfulness and violence of humanity always has destructive effects on the cosmos; yet Jesus will ultimately seal the victory. There have always been signs, there will always be signs; there are constant crises that come and go; whether it’s tomorrow or in another hundred or another thousand years; next summer or another summer long away – the message is the same … “keep alert”.

Keep alert how? That is the question … which we’ll come back to!

[BTW – I think the phrase “heaven and earth will pass away” refers basically to everything being different than it currently is. This parallels with the “words” of Jesus that “will not pass away”, meaning they will remain the same in their power and relevance always.]

There are some magnificent concepts here to encourage us.

First, there is the picture of Jesus coming with great power and glory, with the angels gathering all his children from all directions on earth and in heaven. This gives us a wonderful sense of our ultimate destination within the community of those who have loved God in life. We can be part of the biggest worshipping congregation ever gathered in one place. I wonder who’ll be leading the service that day and what songs we’ll be singing!!!

Now of course, in a fashion, Jesus is already gathering his children into worshipping communities, into local church groups, that can fully and personally appreciate his presence, power and glory right now. In that sense Jesus is always coming again. Our worship now should be a foretaste of community life with God eternally. And our earthly missional activity should be a means by which that eternal community increases in number. Jesus at the very gate ready to return, you know that he is near. This is like our gate when we lived in the manse in West Melbourne, which let us know by squeaking when someone was coming near the front door. We do get signals that Jesus is near … that spark in another’s eye ... that word of wisdom that comes from our mouth that we had never thought of before … that remarkable change in circumstances ... that incredible moment of peace in God's presence.

Second, following the comment about heaven and earth passing away, we read that “my [ie. Jesus’] words will not pass away”. The wonder and wisdom that brought all creation to be, will exist eternally and unbroken. Jesus will never let us down, or be proved to be insufficient or unavailable. The words of Jesus that we have come to rely upon will never depart from us. Jesus has conquered death on a cross, the closed tomb, and everything that was done to discredit or destroy him. It will be Jesus coming in clouds proclaiming the victory of God over the influence of evil. No matter how fearful and uncertain events become, we may rest assured that Jesus, the ultimate agent of God, will make a decisive appearance in our stead. So these are words of great comfort.

So what should we keep alert about???

In verse 35 are mentioned all four watches of the night in Roman reckoning (evening, midnight, cockcrow and dawn), the times when we might tend to be less alert than any others! So, no time is slack time!! Also, without being alert or awake the “doorkeeper” and the “slaves” in the little parable might just be caught out in surprise – not ready.

· Various dangers that would tend to injure us or take us away from God (including where we have to provide boundaries for our children);
· About our own level of spiritual maturity – where we are at, whether we are growing in an upward direction; so that we won’t just float along;
· Notice what God is doing in our midst, even being expectant concerning God’s redemptive activity i.e. answers to prayer, opening doors of opportunity, speaking to people’s hearts and changing them
· Opportunities to serve, share with others, make a contribution, allow Jesus to be seen.

When the disciples had their first big test concerning staying awake (in the garden of Gethsemane), what happened (14:37, 40 & 41)?

"Staying With the Game Plan" - Teaching Mark 13:1-23

1. Introduction

This is NOT a passage through which to determine future dates and events, this is clear by the way Jesus answers the questions put to him (in the movement from verse 4 to verse 5). This passage seeks to move the reader away from any preoccupation with such distracting matters, toward coping skills in the face of the complexity of what we often find as we travel through life as a follower of Jesus. This passage offers a realistic view of life in a world operating far from God’s plan, and how a disciple of Jesus should live in view of this. When we are so pressured, this is when we will really have to stay with the “game plan”.

If only the Carlton players would stay with the “game plan” every week! Judd out of the centre to Murphy, a hand-pass wide to Gibbs, back into the corridor to Stevens, then a kick down Fevola’s throat 35 metres out directly in front. But the weekend football match is not the same as a training drill, there’s a real opposition out there, and sometimes such opposition is a very daunting proposition … which tends to make you fumble the ball and forget all the rudiments of the game. So it is with the Christian life – it is the basics [of the Christian life] – our “game plan” if you like – that we have to stick with … when faced by a hostile opposition!

2. Visions of the Complexity of Life in the Kingdom of God and Our Response

The opposition that is dealt with in this passage can be categorised into three areas. Firstly – the destruction of the temple; secondly – false teachings; and then thirdly – wars, disasters & persecutions. The Gospel of Mark here gives us some visions of the complexity of life in the Kingdom of God, and some insight into what our response should be.

(a) Destruction of the temple (v.1-2)

It seems that at least one disciple was hugely impressed by the temple in Jerusalem, the big ornate structure that it was (v.1). But a building was all it was! We are rightly impressed by certain beautiful cathedrals we may have visited around the world … as pieces of great architecture, with the many accompanying artworks; but in comparison to the person of Jesus, such structures dissolve into relative insignificance. Such a temple had not generally led to the community of Israel finding closer relationship with God … humanity ultimately only found such intimate relationship with God through a cross and an old empty cave (not through any cathedral no matter how grand).

People of the time trusted that God would not let the temple in Jerusalem be destroyed yet again as it had been centuries earlier; but at the same time had continued to fail to take seriously the true prophets and their calls for justice for the oppressed, and lately also failed to recognise God in their own midst in the person of Jesus. So the temple would not survive the Romans’ response to the 1st century Jewish revolt. But on the other hand, the movement of people who would follow Jesus into building a spiritual church in his name … their work would survive through into the 21st century.

Jesus here wants to let us know what, and what not, to really be impressed with. This is a strong reminder as to where our trust should lie … not in things that are of human construction, material things; but rather in the person of Jesus and the nature of his ministry in the world. Thus Kelber calls this disciple’s attitude (in verse 1), “a case of misplaced admiration”. The stones of this outdated building are nothing in comparison to the great ‘cornerstone’ of the ‘new temple’ … Jesus (12:10-11). Our faith is built on the life of a person, a person who was also God.

(b) False teachers (v.5-6; 21-23)

We have to be careful of anyone who comes to us and says that they have absolute authority or complete understanding over spiritual matters. Our reference point is not the words of man, but rather the person of Jesus as described in the Bible. Anything we are told or taught must stand up to the scrutiny of scripture (particularly the words and attitudes of Jesus as presented in the gospels). Whereas the Bible doesn’t cover all the specific ethical questions or particular decisions we will need to make, there are sufficient guideposts there to set us in the right direction. So if we don’t want to float from proposition to proposition or influential speaker to influential speaker, then we will need a good grasp of the Bible to test each thing we hear.

That is why we start with the Bible in our messages here. The idea is to let the Bible speak to whatever our personal and collective issues are; relying heavily on the Holy Spirit, and then on each other, to get the interpretation and applications right. I open my mouth first and foremost to suggest that the Bible can help, and here are some tools to understand what it is saying. Many people have been lead astray by those promising much and delivering little or much worse. This is because such messages have originated solely within the agenda of the speaker.

As we know especially from (Paul’s letter to the) Galatians, there were many false teachers operating in the period between Jesus’ resurrection and the writing of Mark – deceiving Christians into acting in ways contrary to God’s best. Paul had to challenge such teachers, as well as correct those who had been swayed inappropriately. Thus, we must learn discernment and spend time in the Bible. When we don’t understand what is said, then we need to ask those who have proven themselves reliable to steer us straight. What is the basic teaching of the Bible from which we should not stray? To love God, receive Jesus and his forgiveness, walk with him day by day, and love our neighbour in God’s name > that’s the game plan that will win the grand final this year!

As verse 23 states so clearly, we need to be alert as to where we are and whether we are still on track with Jesus as our leader (more on this next week). [“I have already told you everything” … generally speaking, those of us who have been following Jesus and reading the Word of God for a while, already know basically everything we need to survive … just needing constant refreshers and some good encouragement to flourish.]

(c) Wars, conflicts, disasters, betrayals, persecution (v.7-9; 12-13)

Whereas war and violence never had a part in God’s created order, the moment freewill was abused this was an inevitable result. Person would strike out at another person, even brother would murder brother (as Cain did with Abel), and nation will take up arms against another nation. We live in a world where conflict raises its head every day … in the school-yard, in the workplace, on the road, in the home. People’s differing priorities collide and conflict ensues. We are not going to be exempt from experiencing this, but we are called to respond to it in particular ways, the most basic of which is: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

We have the role of bringing peace, essentially the peace of Christ, to troubled places. Romans 12:18 reads, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”. This would apply to our own personal circumstances, and then extend toward the example we should bring in our neighbourhoods; with 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 reading: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation … All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” i.e. bringing people together.

When so-called natural disasters occur, rather than shaking our faith, or coming as unexpected, they should send us to the front-line to help the injured and grieving. As Romans 8:19 puts it, “…the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God”. It will be through adversity that the hope of God will be seen in the followers of Jesus. When faced with all sorts of betrayal and hostility we should seek to hang-in, hang-in and hang-in, for ultimately God will save us and God’s name will be glorified.

When it comes to persecution, this often happens to those who stand up and stand out … against injustice or immorality, upsetting a comfortable and entrenched status quo that works for certain powerful vested interests. You say what persecution! You say that at least in this country being a Christian is safe! Well then perhaps we need to reassess what Jesus might be saying to our culture and politics and get out onto the edge a bit more. This is like in football when instead of hanging outside the pack looking for an easy kick, you have to get your head over the ball, and take the risk of being hit.

3. Necessities of Discipleship

This passage also has some general things to say about necessities in discipleship.

(a) Proclaiming the Good News (v.10-11)

Sometimes we think that we won’t know what to say, especially when under pressure. But we are not alone – we are not left to purely our own devices – God is with us and continually giving us snippets of insight and little ways of communicating with others. We see this clearly in the Book of Acts, as previously unsure and weak disciples, having experienced the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, spoke out with power and effectiveness. We read at Acts 4:13 … “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realised that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognised them as companions of Jesus”.

(b) Travelling light (v.14-16)

At verse 14 we read about something categorised as “the desolating sacrilege”. This could possibly be regarded as the most unspeakable affront to God imaginable (involving the most shocking of occurrences). When under any such severe oppression or danger, there will be the need to travel light and not be under the weight of a lot of unnecessary material things. The picture in verse 15 is of someone seeing danger from his flat roof (a common place in this time for worship or for the drying and storing of fruit), and using the outside stairs to flee without stopping to collect anything from inside the house.

It’s a blessing to have nice things (good sound equipment, some DVDs, nice dining room setting, lovely garden, a Ford or two), as long as they’re in the right perspective; as long as they don’t weigh us down, as long as we’re not overly attached to them, as long as they don’t own us; as long as we can easily do without them and are ready to leave them behind. Recently many bushfire victims have had to work through what were the most valuable things in life! Despite the possibility of material wealth in this country, we need to be able to travel lightly with Jesus whenever and wherever necessary.

(c) Prayer (v.17-20)

Sometimes under pressure we can forget about God, and forget about the amazing resources that we have in God. God can bring about change in response to our prayers, as these prayers align with God’s will. This means that what otherwise might have been adequate can be transformed toward what will be ideal. We might be able to get on okay with the people at work, but prayer may just mean that we will find unprecedented friendships with those who might have only previously been distant acquaintances. The situation that we’re currently struggling through may be opened up into unthought of resolution and blessing. We can pray that God will be so close that we will cope through whatever comes to us. We can pray that our children will be protected from evil and find helpful companions. We can pray about whatever needs resolution and for the touch of a miracle working God.

4. Conclusion

What were some of the things to be learned from this passage?

· Honouring Jesus above all things
· Knowing the Bible and being discerning about what we believe
· Being peace-makers and making a difference
· Allowing God’s Spirit to speak through us
· Travelling light with Jesus
. Utilising the full potential of prayer.

Discussion on the Implications of Psalm 15 - "We Shall Not Be Moved"

Let us lift up our thoughts and our hearts to the Lord. Let us be attentive for what God may say to us through this ancient psalm! There just may be a personal word for us from our Lord if we are just ready to hear this; and such a word as this may just transform our lives as never before.

1. Intimacy with God

This psalm is about intimacy with God … about a deep friendship with God. Who is it that can dwell where God is? Who can experience that intimate relationship with God? Who can reside permanently with God? Who has free and welcome access to God?

We might answer these days … ‘those who accept Jesus as their Saviour can dwell where God is’. We might otherwise respond that anyone can dwell with God because God loves all and is available to accept all.

Let’s put this question another way. Who do you like having in your home, and who do you keep inviting back? People who you relate well with and share things in common with and find encouragement and support through. These are also the people who can be relied on by you, and also those that when you invite them they have a natural tendency to accept your invitation.

Who is it that receives God’s hospitality … the best hospitality imaginable? Who dwells where God dwells – who is it that has found intimacy with God? It is those that God has found to be:
· Open to a growing relationship
· Seeking after the most important things in life
· Loving and caring
· Consistent and reliable
· Responsive and ready;

Or put in other words:
· Following Jesus closely
· Seeking after God’s agenda in life
· Worshipful
· Faithful to God and Neighbour
· Trusting and Courageous.

Now is that how we would describe ourselves?

2. Good Behaviour Patterns

This psalm goes on to spell out some of the behaviour patterns that you might expect from those who are dwelling (or living) with God. Whereas we are accepted by God through the grace offered in Jesus and our willing receipt of this gift, our sincerity to build a relationship with God is seen through areas of life that this psalm describes.

However such qualities are often hard to manufacture, but these are actually qualities that God has in abundance and perfection, and also qualities that God is available to plant and feed and water in us. These are the basic behaviour patterns … opportunities to comment will follow …

(a) “walk blamelessly” – this refers to living with a sense of connection with God and being a forgiven person … we are not perfect, but God is actively transforming us day by day. So, we are – walking lightly in forgiveness (with an air of assurance and purpose). We are committed to living tomorrow having learned the lessons of today.

(b) “do what is right” – acting rightly … where our personal character comes into harmony with the character of God. We live and act in a sound and wholesome way. We would be reliable and dependable; having an attitude of faith and faithfulness. We study God’s Word, particularly the life of Jesus, and look for worthy examples of discipleship to emulate.

(c) “speak the truth from the heart” – speaking truthfully … this is an important habit to form and maintain. We speak the truth because we care deeply about the consequences of what we say. We understand the power of the tongue. But this is not just about being honest and discerning, but also about building our lives on what is sure and trustworthy.

(d) “do not slander with their tongue” – not slandering others; it’s so easy to run off at the mouth and put down someone (who may have only mildly offended us) and to continue to gossip about them in a negative way. People come from all sorts of different life experiences, and we need to have a default position of tolerance and compassion.

(e) “do no evil to their friends” – it’s interesting that “friends” are in view here rather than ‘enemies’ … why would we do “evil” to our “friends”? But sometimes we unthinkingly do things that undermine our special friendships – we are less than loyal, or deliberately chose to spend time with someone else without explaining, or just forget to return something we borrowed. So, let’s not be destroying friendships.

(f) “nor take up a reproach against their neighbours” – to “reproach” is to ‘express disapproval’ or ‘cast a slur’; sometimes we can find the smallest things that annoy us about our neighbours, and rake these up unnecessarily, which will entirely (and out of all proportion) compromise our ability to relate well with them. We can be judgemental concerning various cultural differences, or just annoyed that they don’t mow their nature-strip as often as we do. But we have to get beyond this … and not be putting up barriers to being a good neighbour.

(g) “in whose eyes the wicked are despised” – what does this mean … surely we aren’t actually to hate anyone; but perhaps we should still be expressing a real and passionate opposition to anything that oppresses or abuses or hurts another person (or any part of God’s creation). So, perhaps we could see this as – hating that which is opposed to God’s ways. So we stand opposed to what is clearly evil, sometimes very directly or at other times with what EM Blaiklock called a “dignified aloofness” (saying in effect, this is not for me/us). Despite our desire to connect, sometimes we are going to have to draw up a barrier.

(h) The complete opposite is described in the second half of verse 4 … “honour those who fear the Lord” – respecting those serving God. These are the ones we want to spend time with … with a view to learning and growing from them. Verse 4 in totality asks the question: ‘who do we stand with’? Whose vision of life is closest to God’s?

(i) “stand by their oath even to their hurt” – where I think “oath” like a ‘vow’ refers to our stated commitment to God; this commitment needing to stand no matter what the level of opposition or how strong the competing interest might be. So, we would be … faithful even under threat. It’s not much good to only stand with God when things are easy, or conversely only call upon God when things are hard.

(j) “do not lend money at interest” – this might come as a shock to bankers, but the people of Israel (under their religious law) were not permitted to charge interest when they lent money to each other. They were to stand out as against the Babylonians charging 33% or the Assyrians charging 50% interest on loans. This was to make sure that amongst God’s people the lot of the poor was not made any worse. So, we are to be – responsive to the needs of the poor (not only amongst our own number, but across the whole of the world). Our call to generosity is based on God’s generosity to us.

(k) “do not take a bribe against the innocent” – to take a bribe would usually indicate providing a secret special favour or covering up for somebody’s unrighteous deed; and this will always lead to someone being hurt or inappropriately judged. So, we need to be … keeping our integrity intact, especially in the area of our finances. We would not want to view money in a way where it takes over our motives and even blinds us to the needs of others.

Comments

Just as the psalm concludes, from these commitments and behaviour patterns, we will not be moved. That is because, this is the person I have become – this is who I am. I am Warren, a Jesus follower who is seeking God’s agenda in church, community and world. These positive attitudes are part of me … or should be! And I will go forward from here. The person fulfilling these conditions will never moved from their residence in God’s “holy hill” and from the hospitality enjoyed in God’s “tent”.