The New Chapter
Commentary
The sizzling, fresh aroma of bratwursts and fresh beef burgers is carried downwind to the parsonage living room of Pastor Jamie and family. For over 35 years Pastor Jamie would be rushing out to such events in this town of Gunkel. With local country and western music bands playing in the background, the community celebrates Founder’s Day of Joe and Emma Schwart-hogg. In times past, Pastor Jamie would already have ordered two sandwiches, fries and a drink and sit at a picnic table to visit with townspeople. This year however, Pastor Jamie has chosen to keep a low profile. Why? There is a certain awkward feeling among many people in the town of Gunkel, as the pastor’s family is being politely retired out of the church and ministry by both the judicatory and church council. All wish for an amicable, yet undisruptive departure. They also wish for an empty parsonage by autumn season, before the first snowfall. What will the new chapter look like, having to downsize from a two-story parsonage house to a senior apartment with two bedrooms? All of the parsonage rooms now look as homes disrupted as the latest natural disaster seen on the television of another community, who has experienced tornadic or flooding natural disaster. What will retirement look like for Pastor Jamie after serving in many very small churches such as Gunkel — who put very small amounts of money in the pastor’s pension fund? This is a new chapter for sure!
In another community, Morgan is also packing up the family belongings to move to another state. The long-time school teacher has seen the arts and humanities program at the local school cut due to financial issues and new priorities to favor sciences, technology, and athletic programs. What will the next chapter look like for Morgan and the rest of the family? Morgan and family will relocate into a strange community away from family ties, social connections and health care services. The family will be “outsiders,” regardless of how long they remain in this new community and how friendly and patronizing they are to the local businesses. As David R. Samson would put it, they are away from their “tribal connections” which served as a safety net all of these years since childhood. Local tribal loyalties supersede Morgan’s best efforts to be an educator and community parent. Yet Morgan can influence the families of the students which attend art and humanities classes in the area school. Church attendance, or lack of it, will be closely observed by this new community. (Samson, David R., Our Tribal Future: How to Channel our Foundational Human Instincts into a force for Good, New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 2023)
These are not necessarily poor economic times. quite often Decisions have been made by power people in board rooms which result in disruption of the lives of families on a semi-apocalyptic level, as they must sort, discard and pack up belongs that have been accumulated for many years if not decades. What will the next chapter look like? Each of today’s texts addresses this from differing viewpoints. All have in the common that the practice of worshipping God is the pathway forward into any new chapter in life.
In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah will finally have a long hoped for son named Samuel, after her prayers to God at the temple at Shiloh. Hebrews 10 calls for weary believers to persevere and hold fast to the Christian faith despite changes for the worse, which surround them. Jesus is the ultimate high priest worthy of their faith. Finally, Mark 13, the “Little Apocalypse” reveals that the great temple, and community centerpiece, built with large stones by Herod will be destroyed. It will be rubble! What will worship look like after the demise of this temple? There will be a new chapter for each of the groups in today’s texts. Keeping the faith during traumatic change is one theme which ties all three texts together. There will be a new chapter, is the good news.
1 Sameul 1:4-20
This text is a story of waiting for God to answer prayer to the barren woman named Hannah. The days she lives in might be seen as like modern times. “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes” Judges 21:25. This means many people live as if “You are on your own, make up your own rules as you go along.” Elkanah, Hannah’s husband comes from a proud Ephraimite tribal heritage. The be barren in those days pointed to hopelessness for the future without offspring. Peninnah Elkanah’s other wife was able to bear children. This text has a parallel with Rachel and Leah in Genesis 29-30.
The place of worship is Shiloh, this another holy place one can find God (besides Judah and Jerusalem). It is where Hannah presented herself to Eli the priest to plead to have a child. Note, she asks for a male child (1:11). Today, one might wonder what would be wrong with a female child? She pledges to set this child aside to be a Nazarite or separated and consecrated (for the temple). Before the child is even born, he is being set aside for some holy vocation. We will later find out that the two sons of Eli the priest were “…scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord or for the duties of the priests to the people” (2:12). One preaching path to explore might be, did Hannah make a promise to God that her son Samuel now must fulfill before he was even born? A sermon path on parental expectations for a child before the child is out of the womb might be an interesting reflection of this text.
Hannah waits for God to listen and fulfill her prayer request. We have an Advent theme here of waiting for God to fulfill God’s promises. We also have a theme of praying that is an active practice of faith in a transcendent deity whom we believe can point us to new life.
Another point is Hannah’s prayer sounds erratic enough for the Priest Eli to think she is drunk. In the back of one’s mind, with two scoundrel sons like Hophni and Phineas, what Eli doing accusing Hannah of being inebriated? She is persistent and passionate in her prayer life here.
God does deliver and Hannah has a son who is named Samuel. This text can be broken down to a three-point sermon of: 1) God hears prayer, 2) God is sovereign and 3) God will deliver. Nineteen verses prepare for the birth of Samuel. Later, he will anoint kings and become the first major prophet of Israel. Trustful worship in this God at the Shiloh temple is indeed a path toward good news when any undesirable situation or change occurs. The entire text is an invitation to wait in our times of trouble with our focus on worshipping God.
The power and fidelity of God has proven to be true. Another roadmap to consider in this text might be: 1) The Lord had closed her womb” (1:5,6) 2) The God of Israel grant your petition (1:17) 3) The Lord remembered her (1:19). Later in 1:27, “The Lord has granted me my petition.” How much more hope and good news could one expect from God’s word as they enter into the new chapter of their life? [Source: Brueggemann, Walter, Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: First and Second Samuel, (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1990)].
Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25
One interpretative lens in reading the whole book of Hebrews is the opening verses, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2). God is not finished speaking to humanity. This Sunday is an opportunity to discover how God is speaking to humanity. God does this by showing people the ultimate priestly office which is a mediator between God and creation in the Christ who sits at the right hand of God, as is confessed weekly in some churches (Hebrew 10:12, and the Apostles Creed).
The “so what” response might be the God of creation remains in power and looking over all who are still holding fast to the confession of their hope (10: 23). Hebrews is arguing that worries for atonement for sins, burdens of guilt and fear of what occurs to people’s souls/spirits in the afterlife can now all be put to rest with Jesus as the final High Priest who has atoned for the sins of those who faith is in this Christ. While the old covenant tended to emphasis guilt, this new covenant (which is written on people’s hearts) allows people to put their heads on the pillow at night without guilt. This is like the promise made in Jeremiah 31:31-34. That is, a once and for all sacrifice for sin, which leads to death, has been made right in Christ. To people who consider going back to former religions, Hebrews believes this once and for all attornment is superior. It is worth preserving within this community of faith. In fact, later the text says, not to neglect to meet and encourage one another (10:25).
In the opening illustration, Hebrews consoles both persons to come to worship with other believers. Where is God? God is in the worship of being fed with word and fellowship, and communion. Worship is a reminder of the transcendent deity who is a portable religion, which can be practiced elsewhere (Long, 104).
Another modern-day example is Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups pride themselves in being a world-wide fellowship, regardless of where people travel or are relocated. They have a toll free 800 number to find meetings, and since Covid now have virtual meetings and other electronic forms of fellowship. Like the Christian faith in Hebrews, people are already accepted into the fellowship — regardless of their life circumstances. This is one way God is still speaking as the opening verses of Hebrew 1:1-2 suggests even today.
A response to the good news of this text might be broken into a three-point sermon based on 10:22-24, 1) Let us have faith with hope 2) Let us consider how to stir up one another. 3) Let us provoke one another to do good works. Just like God never forsakes the community faith, we should not forsake one another (Smith, 130).
Amidst the weariness of enduring more change and disruption one’s life, Hebrews believes worshipping the God in the crucified and risen Christ should allow one to view the new future as a step closer to the day that Christ will reveal himself in a fuller way (10:25, Smith 131). God continues to be good for God’s promise. Holding fellow believers up in worship through prayer, confession of the faith serves to upbuild the commitment to the faith that is confessed.
One possible path to preaching path might be to revisit a creed, confession or belief statement of the local church or rubrics in the church’s worship book. For example, to believe in God the creator might be an opportunity to explain that God continues to create and is not a one-time Deist creator who is like a watchmaker who winds up a clock and watches it run. God continues to create, do new things and yes continues to speak to us through his son (1:1-3).
Another sermon path might be to ask what helps us persevere in causes we truly believe in that will make for a better life for us and the community? As climate change has created many wildfires, floods and other disasters, communities of people have come together in ways which they never could have imagined. They see trucks with water, food, supplies and volunteers to rebuild arriving from other states, and yes faith-based communities to assist total strangers. This might be an example of the sort of faith Hebrews is encouraging and sees God speaking to us through the example of the Son.
In the opening illustration, the retiring pastor has already been called to assist at worship services in the local nursing home and possibly county jail. This might be a new word to persevere. The teacher has discovered tutoring opportunities as well as community leaders who seek an artistic person to paint buildings and help with designing floats for upcoming community parades. Again, as the teacher perseveres, s the Son continues to speak. The new chapter now looks promising. This is good news. [Sources: Johnson, Luke T., The New Testament Library: Hebrews, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006); Long, Thomas G., Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Hebrews, (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997); Smith, Robert H., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Hebrews, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1984)].
Mark 13:1-8
In this longest speech given by Jesus as a part of his farewell discourse, he answers the question of what if the Jerusalem temple is destroyed, is this the end of the world? The answer is no, it is the end of a time period, with a new one arriving like painful birth pangs. The political events surrounding the destruction of the Jewish temple by Roman armies leaves an uncertain future for Judaism. Jesus is assuring the life of the community believers to remain diligent, faithful and alert during these times. Such times have occurred in many generations. This also includes natural cataclysmic natural disasters. The date of 66-70 CE, during the reign of Emperor Nero and the writing Mark’s gospel has been the accepted timeline for this text. (Smith,180; Witherington, 340-345). The Roman empire was in perpetual turmoil then both from within and outside the empire.
While nobody knows when the second coming of Jesus will arrive, believers are to remain watching and focus on worship of Jesus as Christ. Do not worry, as Christians have little control over such events. A modern example might be the Al-Anon Family groups remind families of alcoholics of a too they call the “3 Cs.” That is, “I did not cause it, can’t control it and can’t cure it.” All we can do is trust in our higher power to have a serene day for one day at a time (ODAT) another tool.
God does not overlook anybody who worships God on earth and remains sovereign despite signs of chaos, persecution and rampant evil which might suggest otherwise. Such texts as this “Little Apocalypse” (similar found in Matthew 24 and Luke 21) are intended to encourage, comfort and lower anxiety among faithful believers of all times.
Some authors equate these days to those of Antiochus Epiphanes IV when a Syrian ruler desecrated the Jewish temple in 1 Maccabees (Juel, 179). Possibly this is when the Book of Daniel was written/edited as well.
Another problem cited in this text has occurred since Deuteronomy 13, that being false prophets who alarm people with their pronouncements of these days as the final times before earth’s destruction. With many years of various television evangelists selling end of the world, rapture and other such books, CDs and movies, Mark 13 along with other such apocalypses argues that have occurred in every generation. Therefore, many have had reason to believe they are living in the last days, as one chapter of history expires and another one is born.
For example, one could say this was true at the end of the agrarian age when families abandon farms for urban factory jobs of the Industrial Revolution. One could argue that the Industrial Revolution has given way to the cyber world of the world wide web. Today, there is talk of artificial intelligence making radical changes in how people live. Mark 13 tries to usher in assurance that while change is always inconvenient and even terrible — worshiping the God of the Bible is reliable.
The pastor in the opening illustration will have a radical change in life without sermons to prepare for Sunday and students to teach in Christian education during the week. This is not the end of the world but the end of one chapter of life as a new chapter begins. Be comforted, be assured and know that God remains sovereign. My internship supervisor told me in the 1980s during the space shuttle Challenger disaster that such times are “Good news in a bad news situation.” Bad news always alarms people. The good news is God remains control. Regardless of a person’s end of the world theories and timelines — faithful, fidelity and regular practice of a rhythm of worship be it daily devotions, weekly worship or regular retreat events remind believers that God remains the great architect of the universe. [Sources: Al-Anon Family Groups, One Day at A Time in Al-Anon, (Virginia Beach, VA: Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, 2000 Library Edition); Culpepper, R. Alan, Smyth & Helwys Commentary: Mark, Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2007); Juel, Donald H., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Mark, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1990); Witherington, Ben, The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2001)]
Application
What major symbol of power has been demolished in any community? Could it be a major employer, manufacturer of products people enjoys, and after the pandemic many restaurants and other food establishments have closed their doors. The end of such a time invites people of faith to adapt, treat other people with consideration and kindness and find other ways to be “community.”
What is it about feeling like our times are the very last days that intrigues us? Can our Christian faith live with the idea that we are simply on another down cycle of decline after a period of growth and stability?
Alternative application
This text the metaphor of birth pangs is often used to illustrate difficult times. Many females could identify with these painful experiences, but what about males? I have had four or five kidney stones that have passed throughout my years as an adult. I have gone the allow the stones through the pain route, taking Vicodin or Percocet path and simply having lithotripsy operations to blast out the kidney stone. While a new life is not born — in fact I could not dispose of the kidney stone fast enough, new awareness off health was born. Sine college, I used to be 12 pack of Coke or Pepsi person per week. After my second kidney stone, I drink maybe 1-2 cans of “pop” per year! It is all clear liquids, lemonade, or water. This is the new life after Coke and Pepsi for me. What other painful experience has been had to experience to view our health in a different way? One sees constant commercials for tobacco smokers to quit that habit. Does a person have to experience cancer or bodily pain to listen to these commercials? It took Pharoah in the Book of Exodus about ten plagues from God before he listened to Moses.
In another community, Morgan is also packing up the family belongings to move to another state. The long-time school teacher has seen the arts and humanities program at the local school cut due to financial issues and new priorities to favor sciences, technology, and athletic programs. What will the next chapter look like for Morgan and the rest of the family? Morgan and family will relocate into a strange community away from family ties, social connections and health care services. The family will be “outsiders,” regardless of how long they remain in this new community and how friendly and patronizing they are to the local businesses. As David R. Samson would put it, they are away from their “tribal connections” which served as a safety net all of these years since childhood. Local tribal loyalties supersede Morgan’s best efforts to be an educator and community parent. Yet Morgan can influence the families of the students which attend art and humanities classes in the area school. Church attendance, or lack of it, will be closely observed by this new community. (Samson, David R., Our Tribal Future: How to Channel our Foundational Human Instincts into a force for Good, New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 2023)
These are not necessarily poor economic times. quite often Decisions have been made by power people in board rooms which result in disruption of the lives of families on a semi-apocalyptic level, as they must sort, discard and pack up belongs that have been accumulated for many years if not decades. What will the next chapter look like? Each of today’s texts addresses this from differing viewpoints. All have in the common that the practice of worshipping God is the pathway forward into any new chapter in life.
In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah will finally have a long hoped for son named Samuel, after her prayers to God at the temple at Shiloh. Hebrews 10 calls for weary believers to persevere and hold fast to the Christian faith despite changes for the worse, which surround them. Jesus is the ultimate high priest worthy of their faith. Finally, Mark 13, the “Little Apocalypse” reveals that the great temple, and community centerpiece, built with large stones by Herod will be destroyed. It will be rubble! What will worship look like after the demise of this temple? There will be a new chapter for each of the groups in today’s texts. Keeping the faith during traumatic change is one theme which ties all three texts together. There will be a new chapter, is the good news.
1 Sameul 1:4-20
This text is a story of waiting for God to answer prayer to the barren woman named Hannah. The days she lives in might be seen as like modern times. “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes” Judges 21:25. This means many people live as if “You are on your own, make up your own rules as you go along.” Elkanah, Hannah’s husband comes from a proud Ephraimite tribal heritage. The be barren in those days pointed to hopelessness for the future without offspring. Peninnah Elkanah’s other wife was able to bear children. This text has a parallel with Rachel and Leah in Genesis 29-30.
The place of worship is Shiloh, this another holy place one can find God (besides Judah and Jerusalem). It is where Hannah presented herself to Eli the priest to plead to have a child. Note, she asks for a male child (1:11). Today, one might wonder what would be wrong with a female child? She pledges to set this child aside to be a Nazarite or separated and consecrated (for the temple). Before the child is even born, he is being set aside for some holy vocation. We will later find out that the two sons of Eli the priest were “…scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord or for the duties of the priests to the people” (2:12). One preaching path to explore might be, did Hannah make a promise to God that her son Samuel now must fulfill before he was even born? A sermon path on parental expectations for a child before the child is out of the womb might be an interesting reflection of this text.
Hannah waits for God to listen and fulfill her prayer request. We have an Advent theme here of waiting for God to fulfill God’s promises. We also have a theme of praying that is an active practice of faith in a transcendent deity whom we believe can point us to new life.
Another point is Hannah’s prayer sounds erratic enough for the Priest Eli to think she is drunk. In the back of one’s mind, with two scoundrel sons like Hophni and Phineas, what Eli doing accusing Hannah of being inebriated? She is persistent and passionate in her prayer life here.
God does deliver and Hannah has a son who is named Samuel. This text can be broken down to a three-point sermon of: 1) God hears prayer, 2) God is sovereign and 3) God will deliver. Nineteen verses prepare for the birth of Samuel. Later, he will anoint kings and become the first major prophet of Israel. Trustful worship in this God at the Shiloh temple is indeed a path toward good news when any undesirable situation or change occurs. The entire text is an invitation to wait in our times of trouble with our focus on worshipping God.
The power and fidelity of God has proven to be true. Another roadmap to consider in this text might be: 1) The Lord had closed her womb” (1:5,6) 2) The God of Israel grant your petition (1:17) 3) The Lord remembered her (1:19). Later in 1:27, “The Lord has granted me my petition.” How much more hope and good news could one expect from God’s word as they enter into the new chapter of their life? [Source: Brueggemann, Walter, Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: First and Second Samuel, (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1990)].
Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25
One interpretative lens in reading the whole book of Hebrews is the opening verses, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2). God is not finished speaking to humanity. This Sunday is an opportunity to discover how God is speaking to humanity. God does this by showing people the ultimate priestly office which is a mediator between God and creation in the Christ who sits at the right hand of God, as is confessed weekly in some churches (Hebrew 10:12, and the Apostles Creed).
The “so what” response might be the God of creation remains in power and looking over all who are still holding fast to the confession of their hope (10: 23). Hebrews is arguing that worries for atonement for sins, burdens of guilt and fear of what occurs to people’s souls/spirits in the afterlife can now all be put to rest with Jesus as the final High Priest who has atoned for the sins of those who faith is in this Christ. While the old covenant tended to emphasis guilt, this new covenant (which is written on people’s hearts) allows people to put their heads on the pillow at night without guilt. This is like the promise made in Jeremiah 31:31-34. That is, a once and for all sacrifice for sin, which leads to death, has been made right in Christ. To people who consider going back to former religions, Hebrews believes this once and for all attornment is superior. It is worth preserving within this community of faith. In fact, later the text says, not to neglect to meet and encourage one another (10:25).
In the opening illustration, Hebrews consoles both persons to come to worship with other believers. Where is God? God is in the worship of being fed with word and fellowship, and communion. Worship is a reminder of the transcendent deity who is a portable religion, which can be practiced elsewhere (Long, 104).
Another modern-day example is Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups pride themselves in being a world-wide fellowship, regardless of where people travel or are relocated. They have a toll free 800 number to find meetings, and since Covid now have virtual meetings and other electronic forms of fellowship. Like the Christian faith in Hebrews, people are already accepted into the fellowship — regardless of their life circumstances. This is one way God is still speaking as the opening verses of Hebrew 1:1-2 suggests even today.
A response to the good news of this text might be broken into a three-point sermon based on 10:22-24, 1) Let us have faith with hope 2) Let us consider how to stir up one another. 3) Let us provoke one another to do good works. Just like God never forsakes the community faith, we should not forsake one another (Smith, 130).
Amidst the weariness of enduring more change and disruption one’s life, Hebrews believes worshipping the God in the crucified and risen Christ should allow one to view the new future as a step closer to the day that Christ will reveal himself in a fuller way (10:25, Smith 131). God continues to be good for God’s promise. Holding fellow believers up in worship through prayer, confession of the faith serves to upbuild the commitment to the faith that is confessed.
One possible path to preaching path might be to revisit a creed, confession or belief statement of the local church or rubrics in the church’s worship book. For example, to believe in God the creator might be an opportunity to explain that God continues to create and is not a one-time Deist creator who is like a watchmaker who winds up a clock and watches it run. God continues to create, do new things and yes continues to speak to us through his son (1:1-3).
Another sermon path might be to ask what helps us persevere in causes we truly believe in that will make for a better life for us and the community? As climate change has created many wildfires, floods and other disasters, communities of people have come together in ways which they never could have imagined. They see trucks with water, food, supplies and volunteers to rebuild arriving from other states, and yes faith-based communities to assist total strangers. This might be an example of the sort of faith Hebrews is encouraging and sees God speaking to us through the example of the Son.
In the opening illustration, the retiring pastor has already been called to assist at worship services in the local nursing home and possibly county jail. This might be a new word to persevere. The teacher has discovered tutoring opportunities as well as community leaders who seek an artistic person to paint buildings and help with designing floats for upcoming community parades. Again, as the teacher perseveres, s the Son continues to speak. The new chapter now looks promising. This is good news. [Sources: Johnson, Luke T., The New Testament Library: Hebrews, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006); Long, Thomas G., Interpretation, A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Hebrews, (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997); Smith, Robert H., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Hebrews, (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1984)].
Mark 13:1-8
In this longest speech given by Jesus as a part of his farewell discourse, he answers the question of what if the Jerusalem temple is destroyed, is this the end of the world? The answer is no, it is the end of a time period, with a new one arriving like painful birth pangs. The political events surrounding the destruction of the Jewish temple by Roman armies leaves an uncertain future for Judaism. Jesus is assuring the life of the community believers to remain diligent, faithful and alert during these times. Such times have occurred in many generations. This also includes natural cataclysmic natural disasters. The date of 66-70 CE, during the reign of Emperor Nero and the writing Mark’s gospel has been the accepted timeline for this text. (Smith,180; Witherington, 340-345). The Roman empire was in perpetual turmoil then both from within and outside the empire.
While nobody knows when the second coming of Jesus will arrive, believers are to remain watching and focus on worship of Jesus as Christ. Do not worry, as Christians have little control over such events. A modern example might be the Al-Anon Family groups remind families of alcoholics of a too they call the “3 Cs.” That is, “I did not cause it, can’t control it and can’t cure it.” All we can do is trust in our higher power to have a serene day for one day at a time (ODAT) another tool.
God does not overlook anybody who worships God on earth and remains sovereign despite signs of chaos, persecution and rampant evil which might suggest otherwise. Such texts as this “Little Apocalypse” (similar found in Matthew 24 and Luke 21) are intended to encourage, comfort and lower anxiety among faithful believers of all times.
Some authors equate these days to those of Antiochus Epiphanes IV when a Syrian ruler desecrated the Jewish temple in 1 Maccabees (Juel, 179). Possibly this is when the Book of Daniel was written/edited as well.
Another problem cited in this text has occurred since Deuteronomy 13, that being false prophets who alarm people with their pronouncements of these days as the final times before earth’s destruction. With many years of various television evangelists selling end of the world, rapture and other such books, CDs and movies, Mark 13 along with other such apocalypses argues that have occurred in every generation. Therefore, many have had reason to believe they are living in the last days, as one chapter of history expires and another one is born.
For example, one could say this was true at the end of the agrarian age when families abandon farms for urban factory jobs of the Industrial Revolution. One could argue that the Industrial Revolution has given way to the cyber world of the world wide web. Today, there is talk of artificial intelligence making radical changes in how people live. Mark 13 tries to usher in assurance that while change is always inconvenient and even terrible — worshiping the God of the Bible is reliable.
The pastor in the opening illustration will have a radical change in life without sermons to prepare for Sunday and students to teach in Christian education during the week. This is not the end of the world but the end of one chapter of life as a new chapter begins. Be comforted, be assured and know that God remains sovereign. My internship supervisor told me in the 1980s during the space shuttle Challenger disaster that such times are “Good news in a bad news situation.” Bad news always alarms people. The good news is God remains control. Regardless of a person’s end of the world theories and timelines — faithful, fidelity and regular practice of a rhythm of worship be it daily devotions, weekly worship or regular retreat events remind believers that God remains the great architect of the universe. [Sources: Al-Anon Family Groups, One Day at A Time in Al-Anon, (Virginia Beach, VA: Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, 2000 Library Edition); Culpepper, R. Alan, Smyth & Helwys Commentary: Mark, Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2007); Juel, Donald H., Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Mark, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 1990); Witherington, Ben, The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary, Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2001)]
Application
What major symbol of power has been demolished in any community? Could it be a major employer, manufacturer of products people enjoys, and after the pandemic many restaurants and other food establishments have closed their doors. The end of such a time invites people of faith to adapt, treat other people with consideration and kindness and find other ways to be “community.”
What is it about feeling like our times are the very last days that intrigues us? Can our Christian faith live with the idea that we are simply on another down cycle of decline after a period of growth and stability?
Alternative application
This text the metaphor of birth pangs is often used to illustrate difficult times. Many females could identify with these painful experiences, but what about males? I have had four or five kidney stones that have passed throughout my years as an adult. I have gone the allow the stones through the pain route, taking Vicodin or Percocet path and simply having lithotripsy operations to blast out the kidney stone. While a new life is not born — in fact I could not dispose of the kidney stone fast enough, new awareness off health was born. Sine college, I used to be 12 pack of Coke or Pepsi person per week. After my second kidney stone, I drink maybe 1-2 cans of “pop” per year! It is all clear liquids, lemonade, or water. This is the new life after Coke and Pepsi for me. What other painful experience has been had to experience to view our health in a different way? One sees constant commercials for tobacco smokers to quit that habit. Does a person have to experience cancer or bodily pain to listen to these commercials? It took Pharoah in the Book of Exodus about ten plagues from God before he listened to Moses.
