Too often I find myself not finishing a project or task that I have started with enthusiasm. It’s almost like I have a “squirrel moment” the kind my dog has when he sees one in the yard or the tree. But then there are those areas in my life that although there is a distraction I return to the task at hand. It’s in moments like these that I am discovering that I have the need for endurance. Yes, I may get distracted but I return to the task at hand. Have you ever found yourself in this situation? If you have, then join the rest of us as we are not alone in this. The disciples of Jesus often got distracted and had to be guided back to the task at hand or had to be corrected in their thinking. One such correction took place after Jesus answered his disciple’s comments on the temple complex when he pointed out to Jesus how great the buildings were. Jesus’ response to him was that not one stone will be left upon each other. Four of the disciples ask Jesus privately when this would happen. The reason why they ask this is because they, like others, believed that when Jerusalem, along with the temple being destroyed, that would be the end of the world. As we read Jesus’ answer to their question in Mark 13:5-13 he begins by giving us two warnings and a call for endurance.
Jesus warns his disciples and us to not be deceived.
To be deceived has the idea that someone is leading a person astray. Israel would often be led astray into idolatry. In the book of Deuteronomy chapter thirteen the LORD God warns Israel that false prophets and family members would lead them astray from the instructions that he had given them in the Law and what they were to do in response to those false prophets and family members who were leading them astray. Ahab’s wife Jezebel was such a lady who led the people of Israel into idolatry in 2 Kings 21. The Lord pronounces judgment on Ahab and Jezebel and it comes to pass in the Lord’s timing. Jesus warns us that there will be people claiming to be him. Jesus says in Matthew 24:24 “For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible the elect. Jim Jones and David Koresh were two such men in our time. The elect are those who have responded to God’s invitation of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Jesus goes on to warn us that there will be wars and rumors of wars. That nations will rise against nations, that earthquakes and famine will happen in various places. We shouldn’t be alarmed by this. These false messiah’s and prophets will offer these signs and wonders to lure people into an easy path of escaping the world’s trouble. Jesus instructs us that these events will happen with more frequency and longer intensity, that this is just the beginning of birth pains. As a disciple of Jesus you and I need to spend time with him in his word so that the Lord can teach us his truth and that His Spirit can guide us into all truth. As we spend time with him he will help us to know when the Deceiver is trying to deceive us through false prophets and messiahs.
Jesus warns his disciples and us that all who follow him will be persecuted.
To be persecuted means to be punished for something that others do not believe in. Jesus instructs his disciples to be on guard. To be alert to what is going on around you. As Jesus disciples, today we know from the early beginning of the church that what Jesus said would happen, happened. Jesus said that his disciple’s would be taken to the local courts-that is the religious courts of his day. Today it happens in similar ways. As we read through the book of Acts we read that it doesn’t take long before this happens to those who follow Jesus. In Acts chapter twelve we read where Herod Agrippa I behead James the son of Zebedee, John the beloved brother. In Acts thirteen we read how Barbara’s and Saul(Paul) the Apostle stood before the proconsul, Sergio Paulus. As you go through the book of Acts you will read how the persecution of the followers of Christ Jesus intensified. Paul would be beheaded by Caesar for his faith in Christ Jesus. When Nero was Ceasar over Rome he would use Christian to light up his garden. When this country was founded it was to escape the religious persecution of Europe. Ever since the reformation of the Church it seems that the Church was attacking the Church. Family members will turn on family members. But in truth those who follow Jesus in true saving faith will always face and possibly go through persecution even by those who claim to be followers of Jesus and are not. Jesus after giving these two warnings, the one about false messiah and the second about going through persecution gives them a promise.
Jesus promises his disciples that the one who endures to the end will be saved.
What does Jesus mean by endurance? Endurance has been defined as holding one’s ground, resisting as not to be moved, to endure despite opposition. To persevere in spite of difficulty. The author of Hebrews writes in Hebrews 10:36 “For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. James begins his letter to the Church about considering it a great joy, my brother and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4) The trials that we go through help us grow in our faith, trust and dependence on the Lord Jesus. It brings us to the place where we know we do not have the wisdom to make it through without his help. He will give us the wisdom that we need if we will just ask him. There is a promise given in James 1:12 for those who endure the trials that they are going through. “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has std the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Are you truly trusting in the Lord, depending on him to see you through each day of your life?