Day 31 | April 6
Day 31 | April 6 | Mark 13: 21-37
By: Christi Ledo
This passage comes from what is considered one of the most difficult chapters of the New Testament because all through this passage Jesus uses imagery that was familiar to the Jews of his day, but these images are not so familiar to modern readers. Yet we cannot disregard this passage since it is the source of so many ideas about the second coming of Jesus, and it has truth to tell us.
Verse 23 admonishes, “Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!” This sounds to me much like what we say to protect our own children from dangers they are certain to face, such as “Look both ways - cars may be coming!” Because, in our parental wisdom, we know what to expect on any roadway they may travel.
Jesus lovingly gives his children guidance for both enduring trials and recognizing false teachers that would arise before the end, because he knew that these would indeed arise. We must not mold Christian truth to suit ourselves. We cannot overstress one part of truth. If we overthink God’s holiness we can miss out on intimacy with him. If we think only of God’s justice, we may never be free of the fear of God. If we think only of his love, religion can become a fluffy sentimental thing. We dare not alter Jesus’ teachings to suit people or we produce a watered down religion. We need ‘soul friends’. If we are thinking alone, we run a grave danger of thinking astray. We are finite and God is infinite, so we can never fully understand every aspect of our faith this side of heaven. G.K. Chesterton said, “It is only the fool who tries to get the heavens inside his head, and not unnaturally his head bursts. The wise man is content to get his head inside the heavens.” There is a place of ultimate mystery, a ‘holy unknowing.’ Before this place we can only worship, wonder, and adore.
We live our days in the shadow of eternity, but this is no reason for hysteria or fearful expectation. Daily we go about completing our work. May we so live day by day that it does not matter which day he comes. Our task is to make every day fit for him to see us.
Until a couple of years ago, the Lord lovingly showed me that I had overstressed speaking to him in prayer, completely missing out on the intimacy that comes from spending time just being with him and listening. I began a rhythm of stopping for at least two minutes throughout each day - morning, midday, evening - to simply be alone with him; quiet, listening, and contemplative. The doors of my heart and mind opened wide to his voice. It was awkward and difficult at first. (I wasn’t a very good listener.) Occasionally it is still difficult. (Our world is noisy.) But this is now my favorite part of each day, and he is faithful to meet me on a nanosecond’s notice. In these moments, he shows his character and his plans - to give me hope and a future. It hadn’t been like this when I used to do all of the talking at our meetings.
All of life has become preparation to meet my King. May this be true as well for you, my friend!
Verse 23 admonishes, “Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!” This sounds to me much like what we say to protect our own children from dangers they are certain to face, such as “Look both ways - cars may be coming!” Because, in our parental wisdom, we know what to expect on any roadway they may travel.
Jesus lovingly gives his children guidance for both enduring trials and recognizing false teachers that would arise before the end, because he knew that these would indeed arise. We must not mold Christian truth to suit ourselves. We cannot overstress one part of truth. If we overthink God’s holiness we can miss out on intimacy with him. If we think only of God’s justice, we may never be free of the fear of God. If we think only of his love, religion can become a fluffy sentimental thing. We dare not alter Jesus’ teachings to suit people or we produce a watered down religion. We need ‘soul friends’. If we are thinking alone, we run a grave danger of thinking astray. We are finite and God is infinite, so we can never fully understand every aspect of our faith this side of heaven. G.K. Chesterton said, “It is only the fool who tries to get the heavens inside his head, and not unnaturally his head bursts. The wise man is content to get his head inside the heavens.” There is a place of ultimate mystery, a ‘holy unknowing.’ Before this place we can only worship, wonder, and adore.
We live our days in the shadow of eternity, but this is no reason for hysteria or fearful expectation. Daily we go about completing our work. May we so live day by day that it does not matter which day he comes. Our task is to make every day fit for him to see us.
Until a couple of years ago, the Lord lovingly showed me that I had overstressed speaking to him in prayer, completely missing out on the intimacy that comes from spending time just being with him and listening. I began a rhythm of stopping for at least two minutes throughout each day - morning, midday, evening - to simply be alone with him; quiet, listening, and contemplative. The doors of my heart and mind opened wide to his voice. It was awkward and difficult at first. (I wasn’t a very good listener.) Occasionally it is still difficult. (Our world is noisy.) But this is now my favorite part of each day, and he is faithful to meet me on a nanosecond’s notice. In these moments, he shows his character and his plans - to give me hope and a future. It hadn’t been like this when I used to do all of the talking at our meetings.
All of life has become preparation to meet my King. May this be true as well for you, my friend!
Recent
Archive
2022
January
February
March
Kids Remodel - Update March 1The Garrett Chapel - March 1Day 1 | 40 Days through Mark Day 2 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 3 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 4 | 40 Days Through MarkSunday March 6 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 5 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 6 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 7 | 40 days Through MarkDay 8 | 40 Days Through MarkThe Garrett Chapel - March 10 UpdateKids Remodel - Update March 10Day 9 | 40 Days through MarkDay 10 | 40 Days Through MarkDay 11 | March 14 | Mark 5:35-6:6Day 12 | March 15 | Mark 6:7-29Day 13 | March 16 | Mark 6:30-44Day 14 | March 17 | Mark 6:45-56Day 15 | March 18 | Mark 7:1-23Day 16 | March 19 | Mark 7:24-37 By: Kasey JohnsonDay 17 | March 21 | Mark 8:1-21Day 18 | March 22 | Mark 8:22-33Day 19 |March 23 | March Mark 8:34 – 9:6Day 20 | March 24 | Mark 9:14-29Day 21 | March 25 | Mark 9:30-37. Day 22 | March 26 | Mark 9:38-50Day 23 | March 28Day 24 | March 29Garrett Chapel - finishing touchesKids Space - Main room, classesGymnasium FlooringDay 25 | March 30Day 26 | March 31
April
May
Sunday, May 1 | Day 1Monday, May 2 | Day 2Tuesday, May 3 | Day 3Wednesday, May 4 | Day 4Thursday, May 5 | Day 5Friday, May 6 | Day 6Saturday, May 7 | Day 7Sunday, May 8 | Day 8Monday, May 9 | Day 9Tuesday, May 10 | Day 10Wednesday, May 11 | Day 11Thursday, May 12 | Day 12Friday, May 13 | Day 13Saturday, May 14 | Day 14Sunday, May 15 | Day 15Monday, May 16 | Day 16Tuesday, May 17 | Day 17Wednesday, May 18 | Day 18Thursday, May 19 | Day 19Friday, May 20 | Day 20Saturday, May 21 | Day 21Sunday, May 22 | Day 22Monday, May 23 | Day 23Tuesday, May 24 | Day 24Wednesday, May 25 | Day 25Thursday, May 26 | Day 26
5 Comments
Silence and stillness are such a gift. They can help us be attentive to the presence of God with us!
Wow Christi! Those are beautiful words! Love you! God is so good!!
“We dare not alter Jesus’ teachings to suit people or we produce a watered down religion” . . . great words of reflection for my own heart as well as for others! Thanks friend for your insight today.
Thanks for your meditations about this passage. Your words and the scripture remind me to stay alert for Christ’s return.
Thanks Christi for the reminder to live each day ready for Him to come and to set aside time not only for our requests but to “listen” for anything He wants to tell us.