Free Methodist Church Of Santa Barbara

We continue to study the themes of Mark 13 this week. In this dialogue spoken outside the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus is giving His followers instruction for what is to come in the future. The theme of the verses I will preach Sunday are about the opposition they personally will experience as people of the faith. They have no idea what will transpire in their lives. We wonder if, as Jesus is talking to them, they are alarmed or curious as to what His teaching is all about. Mark does not give us any clue as to what the disciples are thinking or feeling. He simply reports the Lord's words. As we read them, we will consider how they came true in various ways to many believers through the years. We will talk about the nature of persecution overall and how Jesus' words have been essential for generations of believers. While these words are not entirely uplifting and happy, Jesus is giving the disciples something to hold on to for when He leaves.