S) " 11 When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."
Mark 13:11-13 (NASB)
O) Jesus was talking to His disciples in this passage. Specifically, it was His first four disciples, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John (see v.3). Jesus had told them about the temple being destroyed, and they were asking for more details about times to come. Then, Jesus really begins to elaborate about the tribulations that they will face, before His return. In the middle of it, we find this passage, warning them about arrest, betrayal, and hatred, all on account of His name. There are a few notable things about this. There is some scholarly debate as to how much (if any) of this passage is now historical, since the Jewish temple was indeed torn down in 70 A.D., but some of the other references in the synoptic gospels have not necessarily taken place. But, in these verses, we find a warning and promise that actually supersedes the prophetic elements of the chapter. I say, "supersedes" because these warnings and promise are going to be relevant to every believer, since the time they were spoken all the way until the return and eternal reign of Jesus. The Way (as it was called before simply being called "Christianity") was initially opposed by those in power, and for good reason (from their perspective), and the same is true today. Those with power generally seek to keep it, and Christianity at its core, is about relinquishing power in submission to the Lord. It's about dying to self, taking up a cross, and following Jesus.
A) After Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome, dying for faith in Jesus' name had become less and less common. Today, we live in a world where the tide is clearly shifting again. Islamic radicals (which might actually be the most pure form of Islam) are executing Christians in the Middle East and North Africa (as well as elsewhere, in smaller numbers). The media in the West is pretty firmly against Christianity, along with a large portion of the scientific community (with statements about creationism being compared to child abuse). When I first read the above verses, today, I was reminded of Peter's denial of Jesus. Earlier today, I also heard a radio segment talking about the great importance of the resurrection of Jesus. All of these things fall into place, finding relevance in the above passage. When Jesus spoke these words, the disciples did not yet understand His words about His own death and resurrection to be literal. They still had, very much I think, a real fear of death. Everything changed at the first Easter, though. All of the sudden, they had real, hard evidence, that death has no sting. All of a sudden, being arrested for the faith was no longer dangerous, because the disciples understood firsthand (as I do now, as all believers should), that Jesus conquered the grave. Sin and death had been defeated! Being hated for the faith, even to the point of betrayal and death, became expected. Then, the tide started to shift and for over one thousand years (in the West, at least), Christianity was the norm, and the passage above had no real application. Recently, though, I am confronted with the real question, "What would I do, facing martyrdom?" But, I am encouraged by the same truths that carried the first generation of saints. Enduring to the end goes beyond death, crossing over to eternal life.
And then there is parenting: The other thing that immediately came to mind in this passage, is the importance of raising my children to understand my faith as deeply and intimately as possible. Showing them that my faith in Jesus may cost me, but that cost is always worth paying, will show them the true value of the gospel. Raising them to know and love Jesus, obeying the scriptures, and dying to self, I am also ensuring that my children - at least - will not betray me for my faith. God willing, they will have a deeper relationship with Jesus than I ever have.
P) Father, You are so faithful to fulfill Your promises! The depth of Your faithfulness is humbling. Change me to have the same faithfulness, to walk in the same truth. Please forgive me for my failures to keep my word, and let me be holy as You are holy, with respect to keeping promises and speaking truth. Let the Your words I read today, be sewn deeply into my heart, so that when I face severe persecution and tribulation, these words will bear the fruit of obedience and faithfulness to You on that day. Please bless my children, and keep them close, Lord. Let Your perfect will be done in their lives. Please give them a stronger, more faithful relationship with You, than I have ever experienced. Help me to teach them to teach their children, as well, Father. May my life, my generation of my name, with my brothers and sisters, be the start of an eternal line of faithfulness to You, God. Let Your will be done at a larger scale, too. Open my eyes to see beyond myself, that Your will be done on earth, not just in my own life, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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