The admonition not to panic is still relevant. Every generation has looked at these signs, predicted that Jesus would return in their lifetimes and so far they have all been wrong. Hopefully, apocalyptic prophets of America’s impending doom are equally wrong. Prophecy has basically four schools of thought: Preterists believe that this prophecy was completely fulfilled in 70 AD, with the destruction of Jerusalem. Historicists believe that this and other prophecies detail events of history. Futurists believe it is mostly still in the future. A fourth view is symbolic of the ultimate victory of good over evil. Jesus said no one knows the day or hour (Mark 13:32). The reason that most interpretation of prophecies of the past 2,000 years have failed, is speculation. We need to be so careful not let our imaginations run wild turning guesswork into fact.
Patriotism Mark 13:3-4)
Just as with us, patriotism was a strong emotion among the Jews. Their land had been occupied by a hated, brutal enemy with a foreign religion. Many Americans and Australians fear that a foreign religion and foreign interests are invading our countries and the ugly sisters of patriotism, xenophobia and jingoism may grow even uglier. For Jesus to say that the Temple will be destroyed would have offended the disciples’ Jewish patriotism as much as anyone prophesying the destruction of the twin towers would offend both Australians and Americans. Despite some differences of opinion, both countries have always remained close friends and when the chips were down, have always fought together. Life in Roman Judea under occupation was difficult. The Jews wanted freedom. Imagine how hard it would have been to hear that something even worse was about to occur.
Deception (Mark 13:4-6)
Jesus’ answer as to when these things would be was to avoid deception. Deception has always been around to lead us astray. Many would come in his name and say I am he? What name? Who? In the ancient world, using someone’s name meant the same as their authority. Jesus means salvation. From political parties masquerading as having Christian values, to televangelists who preach false gospels, to advertisers of products which purport to save us from sickness and drudgery, those who claim to be our saviors are everywhere. Jesus also warns against false prophecies, or a fearful attachment to prophesy, what some call prediction addiction. There will be wars and threats of war, but we should not panic. The end will not follow those things immediately. Even earthquakes and famines would come, but even that is not the end yet.
The Temple (Mark 13:1-2)
The Temple was a “building of shining white marble and gold, with bronze entrance doors, it was said that you could not look at the Temple in daylight as it would blind you.”1 No wonder that the disciples were in awe of this architectural wonder. The Second Temple in Jerusalem existed longer than America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been nations — 420 years. The Temple was constructed stone upon stone (Haggai 2:15). Jesus’ prophecy that it would be completely demolished would have the same shock value as if we were to say that the greatest architectural icons of our nations would be destroyed. Complete destruction such as leaving not one stone upon another was familiar in ancient warfare. As we look at the magnificent structures our countries have built, let us remember by whose grace we stand.
1 http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/secondtemple.html
2 kinds of Christian (Mark 12:38-44)
Jesus reminds us of two ways of life: taking and giving. Some Christians miss the point here and think that Jesus is banning clergy clothing, public recognition, religious titles and long prayers. He is not making any such rules. But, religious pretense can be used as a cover up for sins like self-promotion and exploitation. This is contrasted with a poor and needy woman who gave extravagantly. Most of us are probably not so selfish but also not so giving. We are somewhere in the middle. We may know of cases of theft from the church or exploiting the poor. Most of us are not like that, and not too many of us are like the widow, who gave lavishly what she could not afford. So, where do we lie between these two extremes? Are we more givers than takers?
Total Commitment (Mark 12:41-44)
Can Christians be totally committed to very faulty churches? Most Christians will eventually be offended, disappointed or deeply hurt by the church. All churches are faulty. Some people choose to leave, looking for that perfect church. Others choose like the widow. As a member of that class of people who had been abused by these faulty religious leaders, how could she not be aware of the abuses? Yet, she did not worship mere human beings. It seems that she understood something remarkable. God in his wonderful grace, chooses to work through faulty instruments and even calls the church his special treasure and his bride. Jesus revealed some of the dirty underbelly of the Jewish church and an exceptional woman who, rather than walk away, showed the total commitment of someone who focused on God behind the scenes rather than people.
The Monetized Church (Mark 12:40)
It seems that everything today is “monetized,” filled with annoying in-your-face advertising. It seems that we cannot escape the ubiquitous money-grubbing brainwashing. Even within the church there are those who have fallen prey to the false Gospel of Mammon, selling seeds of faith like merchandise, and preaching health, materialism and wealth rather than self-sacrifice. Just like certain ancient teachers of God’s law, some today are not satisfied with the offering plate. Jesus described an ancient kind of misuse of money, those who devoured widows houses. Shamelessly cheating people out of property in the name of religion is nothing new. It is just one example of many ways to use religion as a scam for personal gain, money-changers in the temple. Jesus contrasted this greed among believers with a widow who was in it to give generously and not to take.
Religious Abuse (Mark 12:40)
Historically, Christians in Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches have been involved in financial corruption from misusing indulgences to fund-raise for Saint Peter’s Basilica to the confiscation of property, often by labeling the owners as heretics. So, we cannot judge the scribes as being any worse than some people in our own Christian history. Clearly, the use of religion for selfish and abusive purposes is nothing new. Sometimes the church is the Whore of Babylon and sometimes the Bride of Christ. The scribes were actually not well off financially and relied upon the good graces of wealthy contributors so they could concentrate on their work. The potential for compromising the message is ever present. Do we focus our faith on Christ and not on the ones who flatter or coerce us, demanding that we preach what they want to hear?
Robes and Salutations (Mark 12:38-39)
Is there anything wrong with the scribes devotion to Holy Scripture, or wearing distinctive religious clothing and being greeted in public? Of course not, except when that desire is an outward show to elicit praise from men rather than pointing people to praise God. Scribes wore white to separate themselves from other people. They got in line ahead of the elderly and even their own parents. They loved titles and as they walked by, people were expected to rise respectfully. Yet, their job was not to give glory to themselves, but to God, and they failed miserably. Should we all dress in plain clothes like some Christians and avoid special titles because our job is to glorify God? Is it a matter of legalistically enforcing a dress code and avoiding religious titles, or is it a matter of the heart?
Not far From the Kingdom
The phrase there is only one God is the essence of Deuteronomy 4:35. The law expanded on the practical application of love in civic responsibility. Even simple laws like placing a fence around a flat roof were a way to show love by regarding the safety and health of others. Jesus response to a teacher’s statement, This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law, was to say that he was not far from the kingdom of God. It could be interpreted as an insult or a compliment, or both. Did Jesus mean that the man was almost there? Did he mean that he still had some way to go or that the man was closer than others? It definitely caused people to think and Jesus’ enemies were silent.
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