Mark 13 reminds me of the Hawthorne effect. In any social experiment, the participants modify their behavior when they know they are being watched, and observers tend to find the results they want to see. Today’s chapter is about living life with the right expectation. We begin with a mistaken belief that what is now, will always be. Leaving the Temple the disciples said, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” Jesus responded to them, “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down”. This would be impossible to imagine; the great symbol at the center of Jewish faith and culture could not be moved. Yet less than 40 years later, Jerusalem was destroyed and “the Diaspora” began, scattering the Jewish nation throughout the known world. In 73 AD, the last of Israel’s resistance ended at Masada. Later, alone with the disciples, they asked Jesus how this could happen. I believe He is giving a warning to Believers, but also speaking to every one of us in the midst of traumatic change. “Watch out that no one deceives you”. We are less guarded during times of stress. Many Jews trusted their political leaders, but the Governor’s loyalty was purchased by Rome. Jesus warned,“Many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many”. Friend, where do you look when you hear “rumors of wars”?
Jesus continued, “You must be on your guard”. These disciples who had believed they would be exalted, heard the hard truth, “You will be handed over… and flogged in the synagogues. On account of Me… you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them”. That was certainly not what they expected. Jesus gave them another promise, “do not worry beforehand about what to say…for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit”. Here is a sad dose of reality for everyone looking for heaven on earth, “Brother will betray brother to death… Children will rebel against their parents… Everyone will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved”. Every single one of us has faults and moral failures. Not one of us can stand in the spotlight of scrutiny and be found innocent. Ask yourself, why must the corrupt destroy every symbol of righteousness?
The chapter closes with hints about the end times. Jesus said, “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’… let those who are in Judea flee”. We do not know what that specifically means, but most agree it involves a desecration of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. We read descriptions of world-wide devastation, “those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning”. There will be no neutral ground, no uninvolved, no unconcerned. “How dreadful it will be… If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive”. A world leader will emerge promising peace, perhaps even claiming to be God ordained. “False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive”. The whole earth will be shaken. Jesus tells us, the “people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory”, but He will not come to end the war. He will remove those that have trusted in the Name of Jesus as Savior, “He will send His angels and gather His elect”. When will this happen? “No one knows”, so we are to “Be on guard! Be alert!” My friend, have you fallen short of your hopes? Please know that what is now will not always be. “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love” (Psalm 145:8). We tend to get the results we expect. Is it time to change your expectations?