• Date: March 17, 2024
• Bible Readings: Mark 13:1-8, 24-37
• The Point: Trusting in Jesus, we can do God’s work.
• Free Resource: Keep Awake (Cross+Gen Education, NL)
• Unit Theme (March 17—March 31): God’s Triumph

Mark’s Little Apocalypse is God’s promise to unmake the world founded on systems of injustice and remake it into a kingdom of peace and justice.

God’s Triumph

This glimpse at the end of time signifies the sprint to the end of Lent. Mark 13 is assigned for the fifth Sunday of Lent which will be followed quickly by Palm Sunday and Holy Week. The end (of Lent) is indeed nigh! For this last stretch of Lent, we are moving from Jesus’ call to service to a reflection on God’s triumph. God’s ultimate triumph is hinted at in today’s lesson, and we will hear the crowd’s triumphal shout, the subdued triumph of the Last Supper, the upside-down triumph of the cross, and the exultant triumph of the empty tomb.

Our Current World

The world we live in is very different than the one that Jesus and his disciples lived in. In the first century, the ancient land of Israel had been conquered by the Roman Empire and lived under their oppressive rule. I do not live in an occupied country, and it is unlikely that you, my reader, do either. But some things are universal. There are the powerful, the powerless, and those in between. The powerful usually come to their power through unjust means or inheritance (which likely originally came through unjust means). The powerless usually are that way because of unjust (often inherited) systems perpetuated by the powerful.

The world was not—and is not—as God wants it to be. But what is wrong with the world is not (only) the bad actions of people. If that were so, then “all” we need to do is to improve people’s behavior. What is wrong with the world is the unjust systems upon which our societies, economies, and governance are founded. Attempts to change behavior—while good and important—are not going to bring about the world as God intends it.

[Note: Here I am specifically looking at our world at large, not individuals. I don’t want to take away from the importance of our sins and sinful nature on an individual level, but that’s not the level I’m reflecting on right now.]

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Back to the text. This section of Mark is called the “Little Apocalypse” simply because it is a short example of apocalyptic literature. My understanding of apocalyptic literature, at least in part gleaned from the wonderful course on Revelation from Dr. Craig Koester I took at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN), is that it is generally written for a persecuted audience. It is a revelation (the actual meaning of apocalypse) of what’s going on beyond what we can see, a peek behind the curtain. It shows us that even in times of pain and suffering, God is still present, working, and in control.

While the original audience was specifically Christians undergoing religious persecution, this is good news to everyone who is suffering from injustice. But for those of us sitting in comfort, actively participating in or passively allowing injustice, it’s a reminder that our actions have consequences and God is paying attention.

The Unmaking

The language of apocalyptic literature in general, and this Little Apocalypse specifically, is frightening. But it is also necessary. While it is important for us to serve others and work against injustice, those efforts only amount to fixing the cracks in the walls of a house built on an unstable foundation. For permanent change, our metaphorical house needs to come down, the foundation removed, and a new house can be built. Our unjust world needs to be first unmade to be remade.

The Remaking

Mark’s Little Apocalypse doesn’t go further than the end. But the Apocalypse of John (the Book of Revelation) does. Revelation 21 and 22 offer a vivid description of a world remade after God unmade our world. It is the kingdom of God. No tears, no suffering, no death. No violence or injustice. Only God’s love in our hearts. Everyone will have all that they need to joyfully thrive—including the centering presence of God in our midst.

Keep Awake

Jesus ends this passage in Mark with an illustration, which Matthew expands into a full parable. The master of a house (Jesus) leaves his house with the household workers doing their jobs. The workers should “keep awake” so as to be doing their jobs whenever the master comes home. Jesus urges his disciples to also keep awake.

What this doesn’t mean that we should:

• Focus on the end.
• Overwork ourselves.
• Be afraid.

This does means that we should be diligent about doing the work we have been given as if Jesus were physically here with us. This work can be summarized in worship (loving God), acts of service and justice (loving our neighbors), and self-care (as we love ourselves, which includes rest!). So, keep awake and do the work you have been called to do!

In God’s unending love,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Free Resource

During the main Narrative Lectionary year (this year: September 10 to May 19), we provide a free resource download from one of our products to help you in your faith formation ministry. This week, download the “Keep Awake” activity from our Living the Word: Cross+Gen Education (NL) curriculum. This activity can be done in intergenerational groups, as well as with children and youth!

Order Faith Formation Resources

We are nearing the end of Lent! Have you ordered faith formation resource for the Easter season (Spring quarter, through Pentecost Sunday)? Purchase and immediately download the Spring quarters for the Narrative Lectionary, the Revised Common Lectionary, or even a classic Sunday school Classroom curriculum for PK-2nd and 3rd-6th. Our faith formation resources are easy-to-use, theologically sound, and inclusive.

Introducing our newest Learning Together unit: Created to Care! Wonder at God’s creation and learn about what we can do to protect and heal it in these five lessons, intended for children and intergenerational groups, family or churchwide events, a Lenten series, or Vacation Bible School. We also have six other topics, one of which is FREE!

Our 2024-2025 resources have launched and are available to order! Narrative Lectionary, Revised Common Lectionary, Classic Sunday School, and more.

At Spirit & Truth Publishing, we might just have exactly what you are looking for:

• Resources for the Narrative Lectionary (2023-2024) (2024-2025): Products for all ages.
• Classic Sunday School Curriculum: Key Bible stories for PK-2nd and 3rd-6th, also great for your Christian elementary school!
• Learning Together: Five-lesson topical units for VBS, Sunday school, children, and intergenerational classes.
• Cross+Generational Confirmation
• Resource for the Revised Common Lectionary (2023-2024) (2024-2025): Intergenerational classroom.
• Worship and Liturgy Education

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