Mark 13 and 14

Mark 13 This chapter contains the "little apocalypse" in Mark. Apocalyptic literature is a unique style of writing that comes out of communities that are suffering deep persecution. We see it in portions of Daniel, Ezekiel and, of course, the book of Revelation is the most complete example in the Bible. Apocalyptic writing was a common style of this era.Apocalyptic writing features imagery and symbols to convey hope to a suffering people. In Mark 13 the waring is two fold. First, Jesus is giving a warning regarding the impending destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (this was done by Titus of Rome in AD 70). He is also writing of the "Day of the Lord" what we would call the Second Coming. The key to the passage is "do not be deceived!". Jesus says "many will come in my name saying 'I am he' . . ." he says "people will say here the messiah or there is the messiah . . . do not believe them." When Jesus returns it will not be a mystery. Our responsibility is to stay alert, to keep watch, to pray and do the work we are called to do.

Mark 14
This is Holy Week. The anointing in Bethany. The Last Supper. Judas betrayal. Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Trial by the Sanhedrin. Peter's denial. Mark 14 ends late Thursday or early Friday of Holy Week. Mark 15 tells of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Mark 14 is all about the preliminaries