Deuteronomy 16-18 Mark 13:1-20

“But before these things happen, the Good News must be told to all people.” (Mark 13:10)

The end times has fascinated people even before Jesus came on the scene. Many of the Old Testament prophets talked about “The Day of the Lord,” noting that many who thought they would be safe needed to worry about their relationship with God. As Jesus noted that the Temple would some day be destroyed, talk turned to the end of times. Peter, James, and John were joined by Andrew and they wanted to know about the end. I think most of us, were we to be alone with Jesus and He mentioned something about the end times, would immediately pepper Him with questions about when and how it would happen. These two sets of brothers did the same thing. Jesus talked to them not about health and wealth, but about fraud, destruction, famine, and oppression. In the midst of the warnings, Jesus reminded us that we have a responsibility. We are to proclaim the Good News to all people.

Maybe, if we knew when Jesus was coming again, we’d be more diligent in talking to people about the good news…the gospel. I tend to procrastinate and wait for the last minute. Perhaps we think that there’s still a lot of time to tell people about the free gift of salvation offered to them because of the death of Jesus on the cross. The truth is that not knowing the timing of the end should encourage us to share the gospel every day. If God told me, and He hasn’t, that the return of Christ would happen on Easter this year, I might wait for Good Friday to tell people about Jesus. Knowing that He could come in five minutes if He decided to, should encourage me to share the gospel all the time. Jesus reminds us that before He comes again, the Good News must be told to all people. I don’t know when that day will be; I don’t know if God’s finger is hovering over the button to send Jesus back, waiting for that to happen. What I do know is that while I’m here on earth, my job is to tell others the good news that God forgives sin through His grace, and that all those who turn to Jesus Christ can have a relationship with God forever. It’s time for me to do a better job of doing my job.

Lord, we look forward to the end of days. Remind me that were You to return today, there would be many people I know who haven’t experienced Your grace. Give me strength to tell them the good news.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.