Mark 13 is one of the Bible’s greatest chapters of foreboding. Jesus isn’t mincing words as He speaks with Peter, James, John, and Andrew. Jesus is telling them to be alert, to pay attention to the signs. But then, how could anyone possibly miss them, with the sun going dark, the absent moon, and the stars falling in the heavens? It would be kind of hard to be dozing through all of that, wouldn’t it?
One would think.
But, then again, we’re pretty adept at hearing what we want to hear, seeing only what we want to see. We do it all the time. We might think, “The urgency of God’s return … yeah, that’s a good one. It’s been like two-thousand years since Jesus was here, and God knows how long since creation took place. I’m a-thinking I’m good—at least in my lifetime.”
How easy it is to be lulled into thinking it will always be “business as usual.” All our habits are pre-set in that direction. Yet, even if we’re oblivious to outward signs from God in the heavens, He has already given us the greatest sign—right in our hearts. For “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
This is God’s greatest sign—His signature across the ages—that He sent His Son to save us and that Jesus is coming back to take us to Himself (see John 14:3).
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, though we get lost in the weeds sometimes, raise our sights to Your Son and His coming salvation. In His Name we pray. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Paul Schreiber.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever seen a meteorite (“falling star”) shoot across the sky? Where were you?
2. What do you think your response would been had Jesus said the words above to you?
3. Have you ever been “asleep at the wheel” to something perilous happening in your life? Care to share?