Francis explained the gravity of what faced Jesus’s followers after his crucifixion. In the days preceding his death, Jesus taught them to expect hardship, rejection, and persecution because of their devotion to him.
How does Francis describe Jesus’s last messages to his disciples?
How often do you hear preaching that reflects this message of surrender and suffering as opposed to the message that God wants you to be healthy and wealthy?
For those who’ve begun this journey of discipleship, the reality is we’ll face powerful people who want nothing to do with Jesus.
Maybe you have already. If you haven’t you certainly will. A boss. A family member. Maybe even a politician. The truth that Mark wants us to walk away with is simple: The powerful persecutors in our lives have no real power over us.
Has there been a situation in which your beliefs were held against you? How did you react?
In what ways did that situation impact your view of Jesus and the cost of following him? Is it still worth it? Was your faith shaken, or did it strengthen?
In Mark 13:1–3, we witness a conversation between Jesus and his apostles that foreshadows future events regarding the destruction of the temple. Then the two pairs of brothers, James and John, Peter and Andrew, privately ask Jesus when those violent events will happen.
Read Mark 13:3–13. You’ll see that Jesus doesn’t really answer his disciples’ questions. Rather, he focuses on how they can remain faithful to him during their future suffering and trials.
What are their responsibilities when facing persecution?
What hope does he give them for those critical moments when they must defend themselves to the authorities?
Describe a time you have needed the right words to defend your faith. What happened?
The path of discipleship will not be our “best life now.” Jesus gave us fair warning that following him would require sacrifice, involve suffering, and change our hearts completely. Jesus wants us to shape our lives to look like his—giving of ourselves every day in sacrificial love. That takes intentional thought every minute of the day.
We serve a servant-king. Jesus came not to lord his power over us but to serve us with every scrap of his life. He asks that we follow him and do the same, always prepared to receive him when he returns.
