Endurance Until the End in Jesus

Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 13:1-13.

Jesus’ teaching during Holy Week reaches a climax when He leaves the temple for the final time. His words concerning the utter destruction of the temple building left His disciples in shock. This had been the place they knew they would have access to God. In speaking of the building’s destruction, Jesus indicates that He is the new temple; in His flesh, God dwells among His people. He also speaks judgment against those who would find security or permanence anywhere else. As His disciples question Him concerning the timing and the signs that accompany this destruction, Jesus speaks in generalities. He warns them concerning those who would lead them astray to looking for deliverance in anything other than His coming. Even as they face great trouble in this life and persecution for the sake of Jesus’ name, the Lord calls His disciples to the endurance that He gives them through the work of His Holy Spirit in the means of grace.

“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.