Foundations: New Testament - MarkSample

This section of Mark’s Gospel closely aligns with Luke’s, which also follows the account of the generous widow with a teaching on the future and Jesus’ imminent return. One clear point Jesus wanted to make is that all people who faithfully love and serve God like that widow can hope in Jesus’ promised return. However, this promise doesn’t hold true for people like the religious authorities who pursued Jesus. 

Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the wrath of God’s judgment on those who refuse to believe in Him. When pressed on the timing of these events, Jesus responded with signs of the end times and instructions on the way His followers should live in the meantime. Jesus encouraged them to stand firm in His teachings and not to be led astray by false teachers. He told them not to be alarmed by wars and natural disasters but instead to anticipate them as necessary events before He returns. He also prepared them to stand firm, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the face of intense persecution that He knew would follow His death and resurrection. 

The hope in the midst of all this hardship is the promise of Mark 13:24-31: Jesus will return, and when He does, He will gather His children into His presence. We can’t know when this day will come, but like the servants described in verses 34-37, we’re to continually anticipate Jesus’ return while we live for Him today.