Distress over the future again weaves itself through popular culture especially after we’ve been navigating the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years. Uncertainty seems to engulf those on the fringe with paranoia, colors the majority with cynicism and does nothing but divide families and friends.
For the past two millennia, Christians have looked to the future and asked, "When, Lord, when?" Jesus answers this question in today’s gospel. He reminds the disciples that the coming day of the Lord should be approached in two ways…with active anticipation and faith. Look for signs, Jesus told His followers, but trust in the Lord's time, not your own.
How did his disciples know Jesus spoke the truth? Jesus gave a farming analogy of the fig tree (Mark 13:28) to support His belief in God's immanent judgement. Then He compared God's creation to His words. Nature changed, but His words would not; they were eternal and, so, trustworthy (Mark 13:31).
After all that, Jesus said that only God knew the day (the time frame) or the hour (the exact moment) of these events (Mark 13:32) But we are an impatient people, and we hate waiting. So, Jesus challenges all of us to see the process through God's eyes. These things would happen in God's time, not ours.
So, when are You coming, Lord, when!? While we might not be consumed with this question all the time, personal anxiety in life will cause us to ask the question on occasion. Jesus' answer to us is the same one He gave His followers two thousand years ago. Look for signs of His coming in the chaos of life. And trust in His time of your deliverance. Rest assured; He will come at the right time!
Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.Gretz)
For the past two millennia, Christians have looked to the future and asked, "When, Lord, when?" Jesus answers this question in today’s gospel. He reminds the disciples that the coming day of the Lord should be approached in two ways…with active anticipation and faith. Look for signs, Jesus told His followers, but trust in the Lord's time, not your own.
How did his disciples know Jesus spoke the truth? Jesus gave a farming analogy of the fig tree (Mark 13:28) to support His belief in God's immanent judgement. Then He compared God's creation to His words. Nature changed, but His words would not; they were eternal and, so, trustworthy (Mark 13:31).
After all that, Jesus said that only God knew the day (the time frame) or the hour (the exact moment) of these events (Mark 13:32) But we are an impatient people, and we hate waiting. So, Jesus challenges all of us to see the process through God's eyes. These things would happen in God's time, not ours.
So, when are You coming, Lord, when!? While we might not be consumed with this question all the time, personal anxiety in life will cause us to ask the question on occasion. Jesus' answer to us is the same one He gave His followers two thousand years ago. Look for signs of His coming in the chaos of life. And trust in His time of your deliverance. Rest assured; He will come at the right time!
Peace,
Deborah Gretzinger (No R.E.Gretz)
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