Mark 13:1-4
As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’
2 ‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’
I have heard a number of people say in the past week that when this Coronavirus pandemic is over the world will never be the same again. Who knows? The whole world has been turned on it’s head so suddenly that no-one on earth knows what the fall out of this will be. How it will affect economies, businesses, nations, communities, families no-one in this world can tell.
However, there is One who knows the future and holds it in His hand. During Holy Week Jesus was preparing His disciples for His imminent departure. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record how He taught them about ‘Signs of the End of the Age.’
It is good to remember this during such a time of upheaval, fear and uncertainty. During that Holy Week the Saviour knew that He was facing the cross. But He also knew that He would rise again, ascend to the right hand of the Father. And He knew that one day all people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory… He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. Mark 13:26,27
In the darkest of weeks and the darkest of times, this is the sure and certain hope we can cling to.
Reflect
I do not know the course ahead
What joys and griefs are there
But One is near who fully knows
I’ll trust His loving care
CCLI Song # 151130 Alfred B. Smith | Eugene L. Clark © 1958 New Spring (Admin. by / Small Stone Media BV, Holland (Admin. in the UK/Eire by Song Solutions www.songsolutions.org))
Prayer
Father, there is so much fear and uncertainty all round us just now because of this pandemic. None of us knows the course ahead and what joys and griefs are there.
But we rejoice that you are the One who is near and who fully knows the future. Help us to trust in your loving care, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
