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3. Jesus’ Command to Preach the World in Spite of Persecution (Mark 13:9-13)
MARK 13:9-13
9 But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. 10 The Good News must first be preached to all the nations. 11 When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. 13 You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.
Jesus drew his disciples’ attention from the destruction of the temple to what is deeper, that they might be prepared for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in them, and become the temple of God in the midst of the troubled world, testifying this spiritual revolution in the way of love, and being rejected by the children of Abraham as unbelievers and blasphemers.
Yet they could not deny the new state in their hearts for they had become forever assured, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, that God is three in one, and that they were his righteous children. Even if they were beaten, or subjected to brainwashing, the testimony of the Comforter would not leave them, for they had become a new creation, a stumbling block to the world which is dead in sins. It appears nowadays that the prevailing of tyrants for tens of years is unable to consume the hunger for God in the hearts of men. Wherever there are regenerated people, spiritual life continues in silent activities through prayer and love to enemies.
No one can pluck out or end the inherited life of God in our world. As a symbol of this experience, we find, in the mountains of Lebanon, a plant whose thick roots dig deep into the earth that one can cut off its stem, but he cannot end its life, for it continues to grow in the depths of the earth, and renews itself again. This strange plant is commonly known as the gospel, for they have experienced, throughout ages, that no power from this or the other world can end the power of the Holy Gospel.
Christ is the Victor, and his word continues, in spite of refusal and persecution, from one to another, and from one country to another. The end of the world will not come until the gospel has reached all the countries of the world, and the preaching has been completed in all languages of the world. This mystery is required by the just righteousness of God. How long will you sleep, and care only about yourself and your family? Get up and hurry to your neighbor, for the gospel is a necessity. All are in need of the good news that the Son of God who was crucified, overcame sins, defeated death, triumphed over hell, and demonstrated, on the third day, the everlasting life of God.
Speak, out boldly that you may not be separated from those in the procession of Christ’s triumph. The glory of our triune God is announced and introduced day and night in religious broadcasts, in several languages. And the love of God appears in books, magazines, and good deeds, openly for those who want to see.
The gospel is on the road. Whoever seeks salvation can obtain it. Preaching to the whole world is also a sign of the end of the world. Jesus knew that his disciples’ testimony would create reactions among the fanatics. Yet he did not interfere to prevent Paul’s torture in prison, but assured him of his presence, wisdom, and spiritual power.
Jesus commanded his followers not to worry about how to defend themselves. He promised that the Holy Spirit would inspire them with wisdom, that they might speak the truth in love with the wisdom of serpents and the harmlessness of doves. Christ’s faithful witnesses are anointed and inspired like the prophets. They do not speak their own thoughts, but the Holy Spirit speaks through them in times of tribulation.
The Lord expects their obedience, that they may speak what the Spirit wants to declare. This preparation requires internal hearing of the Lord’s words in the gospel. Blessed is he who has kept many verses by heart, and trained his heart to hear the fine voice of the Holy Spirit. Then he will hear his Lord’s comfort, even in greatest distress, and at the moment of death.
As such, we may behave as Christ’s ambassadors among the small and the great, fearlessly, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
How often a new convert is rejected by his own family, hated, and delivered up to the authority that they might rid themselves of the imagined shame brought to their clan! Sometimes the brothers or parents suppose, in their spiritual blindness, that they serve God when they torture a convert of non-Christian origin, or put him to death. We may also see in some countries that leaders of young people guide the children to denounce, dislike, and destroy their faithful parents.
Jesus’ name does not only promise us peace and joy in our hearts, but also it brings hatred and the burden of a cross, and sometimes death to believers, for the spirit of this world struggles mercilessly against the Spirit of God.
Yet you are not alone in this struggle. Millions of faithful Christians pass through temptations similar to yours. So be strengthened in the Lord, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. Do not flee from spiritual conflict, and do not seek the way of ease. There must be preaching. The Lord commands us to proceed. Do not hide under false intentions or pretences of defending the faith, but get up and go forward, with the guidance of the Spirit.
The love gifted to you from God is greater than his displeasure. So, do not deny the anointment of the Holy Spirit gifted to you by Jesus. It is more powerful than all the spirits of this world. This love is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. He who endures to the end will be saved.
Jesus strengthens all those who suffer for his name’s sake, and assures them of his faithful promise: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
PRAYER: O Lord, we are often selfish in our spiritual life. You redeemed us to God by your precious blood, and gave us life with your Holy Spirit. Yet, we rarely speak to those who do not believe in your name, and we do not proclaim your salvation clearly. Please open our hearts, that may your mercy dwell in us, and may we hasten toward our brother man and find the words of your wise love, which offers them everlasting life. Forgive them and us all our sins. Open their eyes that they may see you and come to you. Create in them the will and the strength to accept you. Keep us in spite of the dangers of our testimony, for we do not speak in our own name, but fulfill your word. Inspire us with suitable words to the people we meet, and help us to speak what you say to us, obeying your guidance. Save also our parents, brothers, and relatives with your merciful, everlasting salvation. Amen.
QUESTION:
- How is the preaching to the world connected with the end of the world?