Persecution Will Come: Mark 13:9-13
In the moments where it truly matters to say the right thing, isn’t it best the words come from God? Mentees ask difficult questions sometimes. Strangers also ask difficult questions. Friends can even ask questions that make us fear our answer may hurt the friendship. In those times, who would you rather be the source of what you say: you or God?
Jesus gives truth to the disciples very plainly here. Doomsday sayers love to lather up excitement and get people bothered by their incredibly deep Biblical research into understanding the last days. Jesus knows it isn’t necessary. There is one single sign to watch out for and know the end is coming quickly. What is this simple sign? Persecution of the people of God. Wars will come and go. Natural disasters will happen. Persecution of God’s people on a worldwide scale will be the sign.
Hopefully, this is easy to understand. As the world’s ways turn further from God’s ways, those who follow God will have less in common with the world. As the world’s truth misaligns more severely, God’s truth will challenge the world’s truth to a greater extent. At some point, confrontation will be inevitable. The world will need to do away with God’s people so God’s truth is no longer lifted against their own way of thinking.
The sign that the end is near is not hard to figure out, nor is it difficult to see. The more the world turns away from God, the closer we are to the end. The less the world is interested in hearing about the peace, joy, and love that blesses life through following God’s ways, the closer we are. You don’t need to follow someone who intentionally works people up to create drama. Simply pay attention to the world around you.
Even more importantly than this, though, is Jesus’ explanation of why the persecution will happen. As the world turns more and more away from God’s truth, it becomes less interested in hearing it voluntarily. Therefore, the only way the world will hear God’s truth is involuntarily. As people become willing to die for their faith, the message will still be proclaimed. Others will see and hear the testimony of people willing to die for their faith. Some – probably not many – will be inspired by the witness of these martyrs and turn to God. Persecution happens for the purpose of proclaiming God’s truth.
Deep truth exists in this thought, and not only for those in persecution. It can be hard to think how we would handle persecution. It can be hard to believe we would know what to do and what to say. Jesus tells us those fears – while understandable – are not necessary. God will tell us what to say and how to handle those moments. That should be comforting and logical. In the moments where it truly matters to say the right thing, isn’t it best the words come from God?
