January 24th, Saturday: Mark chaps. 13-14

This is Mark's version of the Olivet Discourse, written with Gentile readers in mind.

If we're going to be ready and faithful in this last days, we must heed the admonitions of Jesus.

Take heed that no one deceives you.

Political and geological disruptions will give false prophets and false Christs great opportunity to deceive people.

Persecution against God's people will either strengthen us or weaken us.

Olivet Discourse: aka 'The Sermon of the Mount' aka 'the Beatitudes' which is given on the Mount of Olives

Take heed to what Jesus taught.

The Word of God is the only dependable light in this dark world.

Jesus has told us beforehand what to expect and what to avoid, and we must heed His words.

His Word is dependable and durable - so trust Him.

Take heed, watch and pray.

During the tribulation period, various signs will signal Christ's return to earth.

But believers today are looking for the Saviour, and not for signs.

'Be alert and keep praying' is His admonition.

'Do the work I've given you to do.'

You want to be found faithful when He comes, and He could come today!

Tribulation: the hardships that Christ's followers would have to go through.

There is preparation for betrayal.

Judas solved the chief priest's problem by offering to lead them to Jesus.

But how do you conveniently betray the Son of God?

Is it not a costly endeavour in every way?

We'll be reading about preparation for burial.

Mary's heart of active worship brought joy to Jesus, and malice to the heart of Judas who had wanted the money she had spent.

Other women came to anoint Him after His burial, but Mary did it when He could be encouraged by her love.

We'll be reading about preparation for fellowship.

It meant much to Jesus to spend those hours with His disciples.

He loved them, and their presence encouraged Him.

He took the cup and the bread of the Passover, and transformed them into memorials of His own blood and body.

For He wanted the disciples to remember Him.

And He wants you and me, His present day disciples to remember Him.

We'll read about preparation for danger.

The good fellowship in the upper room made the 12 forget the danger outside.

So Jesus gave them a warning.

Peter was not the only one who boasted and felt self-confident.

'And they all said likewise.' it says here in Mark 14:31

So heed His warnings, He knows what's coming.

We'll read about preparation for death.

Jesus revealed the conflict in His holy soul as He faced bearing the sins of the world on the cross.

See, when you have a Gethsemane experience, pray what he prayed.

And that was, 'Not what I will, but what You will.'

Peter had a sword, but Jesus took a cup.

You need not fear the cup the Father had prepared for you.

Jesus could submit to the abuse of men because He had already submitted to the will of God.