Beware!
These are some thoughts about this Sunday's gospel text that were shared with the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
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Gospel: Mark 13:1-8
1As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”
3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”
In Mark’s gospel, we are now in the last week of Jesus’ life on earth. One of the disciples was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude and beauty of the temple complex. The Jerusalem temple, which had been newly reconstructed by Herod the Great was impressive. It was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple complex was twice as large as the Roman Forum and four times as large as the Athenian Acropolis with its Parthenon. Today what remains of it are the huge retaining walls that supported the temple. The enormous Herodian stones are as long as 40 feet, some of which still stand as part of the Western or Wailing Wall. Their sheer magnitude is incredible.
I’m sure the people of Paradise, California and elsewhere who have experienced the most recent, devastating fires felt pretty secure in the certainty of their beautiful homes and neighborhoods lasting for their lifetimes at least. But like the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 A. D., their hope and delight in their buildings is demolished. It is incredible to see everything flattened and consumed by fire. These people certainly need our prayers and whatever actions that can be done to help them reestablish their lives.
Lutheran Disaster Response is on the ground working to help those affected by the wildfires. One way we can help is to give to LDR as they are our hands and feet in California.Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for "U.S. wildfires" will be used to help those affected by wildfires until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. You can give online at Lutheran Disaster Response.
The Christian life is not about stones and bricks. What goes on inside is what really matters. The life-giving waters of baptism are splashed, stories of faith are told, the meal of bread and wine are given to all, and we gather as a community of faith, to build each other up, to spread God's love in the community and to worship our Creator by bringing God our sorrows and joys. The stones and bricks may fall, but God's church, the community he has called together, will continue on--living and breathing in the unconditional grace of God.
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