Mark Study 19

Dear Student of the Word,

Greetings from Alaska! I am on a cruise ship with Michael W. Smith, but that doesn't mean that I don't have time for the Word. I hope the same is true for you. In this week's study, we take a look at Jesus' answer to the question as to when the fall of Jerusalem that He had predicted would take place. I try to explain what He meant and why Mark spent so much time recording what Jesus said about an event that would occur in 70 AD. I won't go into all that now, but here is some of what I wrote this week:

13:9 -- Keep in mind that Jesus was answering the question the disciples asked: When will the destruction of Jerusalem take place? Jesus warned that His followers would be persecuted, not by the Romans, but by their own countrymen! That would be more painful and difficult because those were people they knew, with whom they had grown up and with whom they had the closest bonds. The same will be true for you.

Perhaps this is why Jesus warned them to be on their guard. Many would be tempted to fall away or turn back because their Jewish leaders or family would oppose them. In fact, the letter to Hebrews is a letter to believing Jews who considered abandoning Jesus and returning to Judaism. When you read Hebrews, there is one word that stands out and that word is "better." The writer (or writers) were arguing that believing Jews had a better covenant and superior way of life than Jews without Jesus. Yet the persecution and misinterpretations of what would happen to them as believers caused them to doubt the Way they had chosen.

Are you in doubt of your Way? Have things happened to you that you thought would never happen, and have those things caused you to doubt your decision to follow Jesus? Are those closest to you persecuting you because of Jesus? If so, you may want to read Hebrews and receive the encouragement and lessons that are presented there for just such a situation.

Feel free to add your comments to this week's study or to check out the studies from Corinthians, Timothy and Mark on the site where this entry is posted.

Download this week's study: Mark Study 19.doc

Comments

[Mr.L T Gerald]

Waw that'z awsome sir.am from Jubilee Christian Church.Still remember your great sense of humour.