Olivet Discourse
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. Mark 13:8 (ESV)
“U” is for understanding. Jesus’ prophecy about the Temple’s destruction was a powerful reminder that sin has had horrible effects on God’s creation. These effects often seem to threaten our lives as well. Christians of every generation have witnessed and even experienced those effects. When the nations rise in war and natural disasters likewise rise, we shouldn’t wonder what is going on. We should understand that sin has both temporal and eternal consequences.
Yet, for the one who has faith in Christ, understanding also means recognizing that we’re part of God’s redemption story, a story that’s bigger than any single moment. That’s because God’s grace is more abundant than our sin, and that grace is made available to us through His Son who took our sins away on a cross.
Our lives in this realm-–our successes, our struggles, our trials, our weaknesses-–are only temporary. Our true citizenship is in God’s eternal kingdom, where Christ is. Understanding this gives us a broader perspective. We’re not here just to get by; we’re here to live as citizens of heaven, journeying toward a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Lord Jesus, give me a mind that is set on things above. Teach me to take up Your light yoke, so that I would not be distracted or weighed down by this world. Amen.