Later, Jesus was sitting at a place on the Mount of Olives. He was alone with Peter, James, John, and Andrew. They could all see the temple. Those followers asked Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will show us it is time for these things to happen?" Mark 13:3-4

Jesus was leaving the temple area. One of his followers said to him, "Look, Teacher! This temple has very beautiful buildings with very big stones." Jesus said, "Are you looking at these great buildings? They will all be destroyed. Every stone will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another." Later, Jesus was sitting at a place on the Mount of Olives. He was alone with Peter, James, John, and Andrew. They could all see the temple. Those followers asked Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will show us it is time for these things to happen?" Jesus said to the followers: "Be careful! Don't let any person fool you. Many people will come and use my name. They will say, 'I am the One.' And they will fool many people. You will hear about wars that are being fought. And you will hear stories about other wars beginning. But don't be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes. Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places. These things are like the first pains when something new is born. "You must be careful. People will arrest you and take you to be judged. They will beat you in their synagogues. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors. You will tell them about me. This will happen to you because you follow me. Before these things happen, the Good News must be told to all people. You will be arrested and judged. But don't worry about what you should say. Say the things God gives you to say at that time. It will not really be you speaking. It will be the Holy Spirit speaking. "Brothers will turn against their own brothers and give them to be killed. Fathers will turn against their own children and give them to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and find ways for their parents to be killed. All people will hate you because you follow me.But the person that continues strong until the end will be saved.

Key Thought

We like the "Why?" and "When?" questions, don't we? We want to either be in control or in the know. So naturally the closest followers of Jesus want to know when this great disaster is going to take place. It is not easy to just take the words of anyone, even the Lord of the universe, at face value as a promise that can be trusted. Yet, Jesus says it; and they are challenged to believe it is so. What promises (including those with dire consequences) do you have trouble trusting to be true? Why not share that doubt, that concern, or that worry with the Lord.

Prayer

O LORD God Almighty, I trust you in so many areas of my life. Yet I confess that there are other things that are difficult for me to release fully to you and take you at your word. Please bless me as I seek to increase my faith and my trust in your promises even when I don't have answers to my "Why?" and "When?" questions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.