Mark: Living the Way of Jesus in the WorldSample

First Thought 

Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives talking privately with His closest disciples and looking over to the temple buildings. They will be destroyed, He declares. It’s likely that His words point to the destruction of the temple in AD70 and events that would unfold over the first century. The disciples would need to stay alert in the days ahead, He warned them, for deceivers would abound, but a new ruler was on the way, Jesus affirmed, the Son of Man. His words evoked Daniel 7:13, where the Son of Man is described as coming from earth to heaven, vindicated after His suffering, and taking up all authority in heaven and on earth. In other words, as we look to the future, our hope rests in Jesus’ victory on the cross, His rising from the dead, and ascension into heaven - kings of kings and Lord of all. One day, Jesus will return, and God’s kingdom will come in all its fullness. When that day will be, the Father only knows. In the meantime, we’re called to watch and wait and walk in the way of Jesus, day-by-day. 

What Does the Bible Say?

How would you describe the attitude Jesus wanted His disciples to adopt as they anticipated the future?

Living it Out

In what ways, if any, do you ‘watch and wait’?

Responding in Prayer

Sovereign God, help me live as a citizen of your kingdom here and now (…). Help me live in confident hope, attentive to your voice. Amen.