The story of Christmas starts long before that manger night with Joseph and Mary. Shadows, promises and pictures liter the road from Genesis to Matthew, giving hope and creating anticipation. Many missed the signs, but those devoted to Yahweh embraced them. God sent prophets who served as modern-day preachers and hope-givers of what was to come. Their words brought joy and delight to those devoted to journeying with the Lord, both then and now. Come find that joy!

In this sermon on Mark 13:1–13, we explore Jesus’ teaching about the end, challenging listeners to move from curiosity about timelines to faithful living marked by vigilance, endurance, and gospel-centered purpose. Rather than fearing wars, disasters, or uncertainty, believers are called to trust God’s control, remain steadfast under persecution, and prioritize proclaiming Christ while being led daily by the Holy Spirit.

Coming now to the end of Jesus’ public teaching ministry we have one of the most radical contrasts in Scripture. On one side – the self-promoting, manipulating, immoral scribes … and on the other side – one poor widow. This widow’s gift is one of the most powerful teaching moments in the Gospels. Jesus calls His disciples to come watch what a life fully surrendered to God looks like. She is living the kind of “deny-yourself discipleship” and “servant-of-all sacrifice” that all who follow Jesus are to live!

Jesus had been barraged by the questions of the Jewish leaders as they aimed to trap Him in order to destroy Him. Now it’s His turn for a question. And what a strange question Jesus poses here in our passage. As strange as it may be, Jesus accomplishes His ultimate aim in communicating who He is and why He came. Jesus clearly knows the mission His Father had for Him … do you?

The Bible tells us what a gift our children are to us, and yet every parent and teacher also knows what a challenge it is to raise children. In our day, philosophies of child-rearing range far and wide; from authoritarian homes to permissive homes, and often the church is no different than the world. So, what are we to do in obedience to the command to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)? We must be families, and a family of families as the church, that treasure our kids as we teach them what to treasure.

After Jesus is questioned by the Sadducees, a Pharisaic scribe approaches Jesus with an important and much-debated question: “Which commandment is the most important of all?” In His divine wisdom, Jesus reveals the heart of God’s law — that love for God and love for neighbor are the greatest commandments — and in doing so, exposes the make-up of a heart transformed by genuine faith.

The next up to attempt a trap for Jesus would be the Sadducees. Their topic? The foolish and illogical notion of life beyond the grave. Yet again, Jesus confounds the “wisdom of the wise” and delights in the glorious promise of joy forevermore that exceeds anything our current earthly existence has to offer. Do you long for that glory with a passion greater than for the things of this world?

Still intent on undermining the authority of Jesus and the sway He has over the crowd; an unusual team appears eager to catch Him in a trap. This time the subject is submission to the government – Should we come under the Roman tax, or stand opposed to the ungodly ruler over us? Jesus, the master-teacher, amazes them with His answer and lays down a principle for Christ-followers of every age to follow.

I just don’t see enough servants in our world, or in the Church today. I see more disciples committed to learning and growing, but fewer servants committed to going and dying, to a life of sacrifice and selflessness - day in and day out. We are all called to be servants, and some are set apart within the church for the office of deacon and deaconess. They are an irreplaceable gift to the church alongside elders within a covenant community of members!

After the religious leaders interrogate Jesus about the source of his authority to do what he does, he stumps them with a question of his own about authority. Having silenced his critics, he goes on to answer his own question by use of a parable. Through the parable we learn that the very nature of God is the reason that he has all authority and is worthy of our complete submission.