We pick up the story from where we left off—Jesus’ disciples asked Him about the destruction of the Temple and, presumably, when He, as the Messiah, would take over the world. Jesus told them that many events would take place prior to His return but that His disciples should not focus on specific signs—just know that things will get bad. Instead they should focus on sharing the “good news”—knowing full well that they will suffer for it. He did give one specific sign to look for during the last seven year period known as the Tribulation—that of a man standing in the Holy of Holies proclaiming Himself to be God. That event would unleash a torrent of persecution against Christian and Jew that would have led to the annihilation of the human race were God not to intervene. Today we see that intervention.
Like in a theater, the house dims so the lights can come up on the stage. So too—both at the beginning and end of our account today, we see the lights dim in order to let the enemy have full sway, until the spotlight shines on the Savior—as the suffering Savior, then as the coming King.
24 – 27
The word “but” at the beginning of verse 24 shows the contrast between the miracles and signs performed by the Antichrist, the arrival of the real Christ—Jesus. Verses 24 and 25 sound very much like Isaiah 13:10 and Joel 2:10-11. But perhaps it was best described in the Apostle John’s vision in Revelation 6:12-14 at the opening of the sixth seal to the title deed of the earth: “Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood; 13 the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; 14 the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place.”
We don’t know exactly what is going to happen, but there are so many Scriptures that reference cosmic disturbances that it is likely cataclysmic events in the universe will occur. As I mentioned last week, no one will miss the Second Coming of Jesus. It is indeed almost like the lights going down in a theater preparing for the main show—the sun darkens so that when the Son of God arrives in His glory all the spot lights are on Him. He left in clouds and in clouds He will return—but not humbly riding into Jerusalem on a donkey but “in power and glory.” Don’t mistake the humility of Jesus and the graciousness of His love and offer of salvation as weakness.
During the Tribulation people will still come to know the Lord. When He returns (I believe with us who have been raptured off of the earth – Jude 14) Jesus will want to collect all those still alive so He’ll send the angels to the four corners of the globe to get them.
28 – 29
The fig tree is one of the only trees in Palestine that loses its leaves in the winter. In the spring as the sap rises into the branches it leafs out—a sure sign that summer is around the corner. So too, Jesus says, “when these signs and events occur, know that My return is imminent.” It is designed to give hope to people suffering so much that they could give into despair.
30 – 31
These verses are a little harder to interpret. The word “generation” in verse 30 is the Greek word genea which can mean “generation” or “race.” So is Jesus saying that all this will happen to the current generation? Well, yes and no. It seems likely that He is using both ideas here: that the current generation will be alive to see the destruction of the Temple, but that the Jewish race will not be extinguished—despite the enemy’s many attempts, but will survive until Jesus returns.
I love verse 31: what a hope. No matter what happens around you, the words of Jesus will NEVER pass away—words like “I will never leave you nor forsake you” or that nothing can separate you from His love.
32 – 37
When Jesus came to earth He gave up His omniscience so He truly did not know when He would return. He also tells us that the Father has not entrusted that knowledge to the angels. He certainly has not told any man, so you can be sure of one thing: when someone says Jesus will return at this date: that is NOT when He will return!
The main point here is that Jesus has given us a job to do, and that is to have an active relationship with Him, being transformed into His image by the Holy Spirit and to be a witness to His love and power. It is easy to fall into the mindset that because Jesus isn’t here personally, and we don’t know when He’s coming back, that we can just laze around doing nothing. Quite the contrary. This doesn’t mean we run around all worried that Jesus is going to come back and judge us as lazy servants either. It means He has entrusted to you a treasure: the gospel. And He expects us to treasure our relationship with Him and our job for Him so much that we want to be about doing kingdom work and when He comes. I would encourage you not to be the one who just plays Christianity and then at the last minute gets serious about a relationship with God.
This is a really good point for you if you do not have a relationship with Jesus because you are thinking that there’s always tomorrow. Jesus could return at any moment—are you ready? Why not get serious about Him today?
Chapter 14: 1 – 9
1 – 2
Mark sets the scene for the final events of his book. It is finally Passover—the commemoration of God’s rescue of the Jews from Egypt (Exodus 12). Passover was followed by a seven day “Feast of unleavened Bread.” This feast was also about Passover, when the Israelis had to leave so quickly they didn’t have time to leaven their loaves. At this point the religious leaders have resigned themselves to arresting Jesus, but they knew they were no match for Him in public and feared the crowds and a potential Roman response to a riot. So they did not want to do this while so many people were in Jerusalem. Judas’ offer of help (in verse 10) upset their timetable.
3 – 10
It is likely that this event actually occurred just prior to the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Mark puts it here, out of chronological order, to emphasize what Jesus is about to do. John 11:2 indicates that although the dinner was at Simon’s (a former leper) house, it was likely that Martha hosted the meal and that Mary was the woman with the jar.
Mary took the jar of nard, worth a year’s wages to the average worker, and likely poured it both on Jesus’ head and feet—a Messianic anointing. John singles out Judas as the chief complainer about this act—not out of concern for the poor, but because he was stealing from the purse (John 12:6).
It was customary to give something to the poor at Passover so the disciples were not totally wrong in their reaction. But they missed the main point: an anointing that presaged the death and burial of Jesus. It was an act of incredible love and worship. Let me ask you—what would your reaction be if someone poured out a year’s wage in an act of worship to the Lord?
There was only so much time to do such acts with Jesus before His death—but there would always be time to give to the poor.
10 -11
From the ultimate act of worship to the ultimate act of betrayal. Matthew 26 tells us that Judas actually asked them “what are you willing to you give me if I hand Him over to you?” What an opportunity for the religious leaders. They paid Judas 30 pieces of silver—a very significant amount—Exodus 21:32 says it was the price of a slave. Jesus, of course, took on the form of a slave, though He was God, in order to serve us by saving us from our sins (Philippians 2:6-8).
Perhaps since Judas felt he was not going to get Mary’s 300 denarii worth from the nard, he would have to find some income opportunities elsewhere. Further, that act of “waste” may have proved to Judas that Jesus’ kingdom was not about power or money—and those things were more important to Him than anything.
The chief priests needed somewhere away from the crowds and Judas would provide it.
Conclusions
As we’ve gone through this I am struck by the contrast between Mary and Judas. Mary would give away any amount of money just to worship Jesus. It took just a tiny amount of money for Judas to betray the Lord. It’s worth thinking about where we are on that scale—from freely giving it all to holding on so tight that we are willing even to leave Jesus behind.
This week I’d encourage you to examine your heart—are you more like Mary, or when push comes to shove and the Lord doesn’t behave in a way you like or give you what your flesh demands do you walk away in your heart? It is amazing what opportunities the enemy will place into your lap when you decide to give into the flesh.
