Mark 13:1-13
Endure to the End
It’s the one question that every child asks. It’s the one question that drives every parent insane. It’s the one question that we just can’t help but ask no matter how long it has been. Yes, if you’ve ever taken a long road trip with a child or honestly with anyone, you know the one question I’m talking about. “Are we there yet?” It’s almost like it’s built into our nature or something. It’s such a common question that we know it’s going to be asked even before it is. Now, I think we all understand where the question comes from. You can’t blame kids for asking once or twice especially if they’ve been strapped into a car for hours on end. When road trips drag on and the scenery is monotonous, a few minutes can feel like forever. We don’t often think about the fact that keeping ourselves entertained for longer periods of time is more difficult than we ever claim. Who would just sit and read for twelve hours straight? Who would draw a picture (in a moving vehicle no less) for more than a few minutes? Who wouldn’t grow tired of staring out the window seeing one row of corn after another? Because every time as kids, we ask the question, “Are we there yet?” the most common response is simply “Not yet.” Wait longer. Be quiet longer. Hold on for a while longer. But you see, the reason why we ask this question isn’t to find out if the car is still moving or not. We aren’t looking for a reason why we’re not there, or the simple not yet. We’re looking for hope. We’re looking for the “light at the end of the tunnel.” We want to know that our present suffering is coming to an end.
In our Gospel reading today, the disciples ask Jesus a similar question. When is the end going to be? When will we reach the end of this journey? Here we all are on this Christian journey just like children on a road trip and we’re still wondering the same question, even as we ask:
ARE WE THERE YET?
I.
How many times had the disciples seen the temple? This definitely wasn’t the first. Yet, today, for whatever reason, it stands out more than before. “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down,” Mark 13:1-2. The disciples knew little about what awaited them. Jesus was just giving them a glimpse. The destruction of the temple meant far more than the loss of a landmark. The Temple was their very connection with God. For if the temple was destroyed, it implies the destruction of the nation also. While none of the Jews living had experienced such a catastrophe, the stories lived on. The thoughts of the Messiah returning them to paradise seemed ever more distant. For this was the belief concerning Jesus. Jesus would be the one to return the nation of Israel to the Jews and reign over them as a new King David. The road to a new, restored Israel was much longer than any imagined. Even so, how much more were they all thinking, “Are we there yet?”
As we walk this path of faith, we’re all waiting to arrive. We want to reach our destination more than anything. However, when we think we’re finally close, when we believe we’ve waited long enough, we ask God the same question, Are we there yet? Only to get the response… Not yet. Consider the further warning which Jesus gives us, “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: 6-8. There’s no denying that these signs don’t make the end sound pleasant. But the hard part is, these aren’t even signs of the end. For Jesus even tells us, these are just the beginning, and the end is “not yet”. For if we look out at our world, we’ll see the very things which Jesus here warns us. Earthquakes, famines, wars and rumors of wars, false messiahs. It’s all here already. We’re living in the end times now. So, where’s Jesus?
II.
On this journey of life and faith, we’re bound to face setbacks. Jesus has already warned us about all we’ll face in these latter and evil days. Like little kids in the backseat, we’re also bound to wonder when we’ll ever arrive because we can’t see the future nor has Jesus given us a roadmap to his return. However, Jesus doesn’t warn us for no reason. He’s not just telling us, “Not yet.” He’s telling us, “I’m already here!” “See that no one leads you astray…” Mark 13:5. Jesus isn’t giving us some platitudes. He’s reminding us that our focus should be on one person… HIM! We need not wait for the end to enjoy the presence of Jesus for he’s on this journey with us. Even as Jesus says, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved,” Mark 13:13. The perseverance of the saints isn’t some quality or trait we find within ourselves. It comes from our union with Christ! It’s Christ enduring with us through his Word and Sacraments. It’s Christ bearing with our struggles by his grace and forgiveness. It’s Christ bringing to us our eternal salvation even today through faith.
As we look ahead to Christ’s return, we do so with this hope and confidence. Christ stands here with us, bestowing upon us the very life and salvation which await us at the end. This we know because it was Christ who endured for us. Jesus Christ endured our sins upon the cross. Jesus endured the suffering and shame that belonged to us. Jesus endured the hatred and persecution of an evil world. He endured death and the grave so that he may be with us and stay with us through all things, even death. By Christ’s endurance, he so bears with us that he may preserve us until his return. This, Christ has promised us that we may have hope, hope to endure the suffering and shame that comes from bearing his name. Just as the author of Hebrews tells us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful,” Hebrews 10:23. Indeed, Jesus is faithful. Faithful to the end.
For let us ask one last time, Are we there yet? No… not yet… and also, yes. For Jesus stands here with us now that he may preserve us in his word and bring to us the very salvation and life he promised. Yet, we await his coming. We await the day when Christ shall be Lord over all, visibly, wholly, sitting in our midst in the fullness of his resurrection glory! Until that day, let us take heart and pray, Come, Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name! Amen!