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March 21|The Final Week Series
March 21|The Final Week Series
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Mark 13:3-4
Jesus exits the temple after the religious leaders challenge his authority. They’ve determined to kill Jesus, and in just three days, he will hang on a Roman cross. Jesus will never enter the temple again. He warns his disciples that their beloved, beautiful temple will be destroyed one day. In shock, they seek inside information. They ask when it will happen and how they will know. Jesus doesn’t give them what they want but what they need. He sits on the hill opposite the temple and teaches them how to live when it feels like the world is ending. He knows they are about to live through uncertain, tumultuous times. Jesus desires to give them a solid foundation to stand on when the world around them shakes.
We, too, live in uncertain times and may feel shaken by personal or global events. This is the nature of life in our broken world. We want to know when things will end or return to normal. We want to know how to survive when our personal world or the world around seems to be falling apart. Jesus doesn’t offer specifics of who, what or when. He does help us hold on and live out our faith when everything around us feels too hard to handle. Through Jesus’s help, we can live with discernment and not be deceived, be on guard and keep watch.
We can be certain of God’s character and his Word in uncertain times. We can rely on the provision of his presence through the Holy Spirit. We can move forward confident in the work he has given us to participate in, trusting he will empower us to fulfill the mission he has given us as his body.
Consider how you feel about what’s happening in our world. Ask God to give you what you need, not necessarily what you THINK you need. “God, today I am feeling ___________________________. Show me today how you are providing what I need. Help me recognize your provision as a good gift from you. I trust you to provide just what I need today.”
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.