Mark 13 & 14
The writer of Mark’s Gospel places this ‘end of the world’ conversation just before Jesus has his earthly life in the world comes to an end. We need to take notice of this as both a way to frame what is about to happen to Jesus and his disciples as well as a conversation about future events.
There is a poinant theme of dread, incredible suffering as well as hope. It is quite timely that we have this reading this week as people across our global region are in the middle of ‘world-ending’ experiences – floods / wars / earth quakes / tsunamis / bush fires. The story is that God gives hope and will bring victory in the end.
It has been significant that the media reports out of Samoa have expressed a real surprise at the way that this ‘religious’ country deals with the Tsunami tragedies – they are reporting an amazing peace and resilience that their faith is bringing. The expectation is anger but in its place is hope. I think this is what Mark invites us to receive as we read this text.
There is no doubt that more is yet to come in our lives just as more was to come in Jesus’ life and the lives of the disciples – in the face of ‘the end of the world’ through Jesus we can have hope. There is also the challenge to be ready…ready to run…ready to hope.
I am again challenged and encouraged by the story of hope that Jesus brings. Our world sure needs it!
