Monday Devotional: Let the Reader Understand (Mark 13:14-23)

This isn't your war.

But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter. For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. And if anyone says to you at that time, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “Look! There he is!”—do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything (Mark 13:14-23).

A constant danger for Christians is to adopt the world’s values and dress them in Christian attire. We are geniuses when it comes to rationalizing our behavior. In Mark 13, Jesus knows there are followers of his who could be enticed by patriotic zealotry leading to violence. He warns those listening against following this path. Yes, a war is coming, he says, and when it comes, his followers are to flee. This war is a fool’s errand. It is no righteous battle, and it will end badly for those who lend their swords.

In this passage, Jesus assumes a prophetic voice and stands in the tradition of Old Testament prophets. He is a prophet and more than a prophet. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the incarnate Word, the savior of humankind, and the redeemer of all creation. Yet he is nonetheless a prophet—one who speaks God’s word to God’s people. Much of Mark 13 consists of prophecy, and this prophecy draws on the language and imagery of the prophets who have gone before.