As a child, I witnessed my country fall apart. My father’s business, along with many others, was burned down and looted due to civil unrest.
We were fortunate to have survived and moved to another country. As a child, I saw the chaos and was scared, but somehow my mind can’t recall all of that.
What I do recall is: my father’s decisive action to take care of the family.
In Mark 13, Jesus is having a frank discussion with His disciples, who were marveling at the wonder and beauty of the temple, which was a source of security.
He dissuaded them of that and shook their worldview. And Jesus said to them,
“Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Mark 13:2
The security blanket was whisked away.
Some would ask, “Why would the ‘Prince of Peace’ not make everything peaceful?”
Jesus doesn’t leave them hanging. He finds a place on the Mount of Olives and starts His lesson.
“And Jesus began to say to them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in My name, saying, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.”
Mark 13:5-8
How’s that for a world shake-up?
But He says,
“Do not be alarmed, but be on your guard.” Even when you are beaten and have to stand before the ruling authority, why? The gospel must be proclaimed to all nations. “Do not be anxious,” why? Because the Holy Spirit will deliver your lines.
Mark 13:7
I have often read novels where the protagonist is thrust into the plot of well-known books or movies. They are usually calm and collected while the side characters are in a tailspin.
The difference is that Jesus breaks the fourth wall and reminds those characters, “Hey, don’t sweat it. Let the Spirit fill in your lines.”
As a child, the decisive action of my father saved my family.
And now, as I see it, the decisive action of our spiritual Father will save us. We will be uncomfortable, as promised.
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and I will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:31-33
This is the promise.
The security is in Christ alone.
Our Peace in the storm comes from Him.
