Mark 13: Don’t Be Led Astray

Today’s reading is Mark 13.

As we pointed out yesterday, the language of Mark 13 is typical judgment language. Judgment simply happens this way, any judgment, all judgments. Even though Jesus was in this context talking about the end of Jerusalem and the temple and not the end of the world, we still learn some great lessons about how to live today as we prepare for whatever judgment comes next–whether that is another national judgment or the final judgment on the whole world.

Perhaps the most important warning is found in Mark 13:5:

And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray” (ESV).

He then goes on to explain many will come claiming to speak in Jesus’s name and they will successfully lead many people astray from Jesus. He even says there will be all kinds of horrific things happening in the world, but that is not the judgment. They are just birth pangs. I find it intriguing that today some want to use this paragraph about wars, rumors of wars, and natural disasters as “signs of the times” in order to freak people out about the end of the world. But even Jesus says in the face of these things, “Do not be alarmed.” These events shouldn’t alarm us at all. They aren’t the end. They aren’t even signs of the times. They are just what happens in the world. Yes, they are birth pains showing judgment will come, but they aren’t actually signs the judgment is about to happen.

But the big deal is people in every circumstance will strive to lead us astray. Some may pretend to be Christ Himself. Some will pretend to be His emissaries. Some will try to lead us astray through persecution.

The thing we need to remember is judgment is coming. Between now and then we have an enemy actively attempting to wreck our preparation for the judgment. Don’t let that happen.

Hang on to Jesus as revealed in Scripture. Don’t be led astray by false narratives about Him. Don’t be led astray by misrepresentations of Him. Don’t be led astray by threats against Him. Hang on.

We will be hated for His name’s sake. But those who endure to the end will be saved. Hang on!

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Mark 13.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Mark 13 prompt or improve your trust in God?

John 7: If Not Jesus, Who?

Today’s reading is John 7.

Notice the disagreement in John 7:12:

And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading people astray” (ESV).

These are our choices. Jesus was either good or He was leading people astray. Recall one of the questions John is answering. Which prophet is Jesus? Is He the prophet in Deuteronomy 13:1-5? That prophet may demonstrate signs and wonders, but he is trying to make the people “leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk.” Or is He the prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15-19 who is like Moses. The Lord says, “I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” That sounds like what we’ve discussed the last two days, doesn’t it?

Here’s the thing. If Jesus is leading the people astray, then He needs to be purged from the midst of the people. But if He is a good man, do you see what that makes Him? That makes Him the New Prophet like Moses to whom all men must listen.

Then in John 7:31, some of the people believed and asked a powerful question:

“When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (ESV).

That is, what would we expect the Messiah to do in addition to what Jesus is doing? Jesus heals the sick, casts out demons, makes the lame walk, causes the blind to see, makes the deaf hear, turns water to wine, calms storms, walks on water, raises the dead. Sure, false prophets will arise who can perform some signs and wonders, but surely Jesus’s level of signage attributed to a false prophet stretches credulity. Consider, even Pharaoh’s wise men and sorcerers could only copy three of Moses’s signs. After that, they declared it the finger of God (see Exodus 8:18-19). If Jesus is not the Messiah, what will the Messiah do more than what Jesus did?

That’s a good question. My answer is what sign is left to point to a Messiah that Jesus didn’t work? Surely in Jesus we see the finger of God. Surely we see the Prophet. Surely we see the Messiah. Let’s listen to Him and no one else.

Tomorrow’s reading is John 7.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does John 7 prompt or improve your trust in God?

See That No One Leads You Astray

Today’s reading is Matthew 24.

Everyone has their opinion regarding what Matthew 24 is about. I’m no different. I’m happy to discuss it with anyone. We can either make our five posts this week my series on why I think what I do about Matthew 24, or we can hit on some really important topics we find in this chapter that will really help us with more than just winning an esoteric debate. I think I’ll hit on those five topics.

Whatever judgment Jesus is talking about, whether it is Jerusalem, Rome, the end of time, or some combination, His purpose for this discourse is found in Matthew 24:4: “See that no one leads you astray.” He goes on in the next verse to make this more clear: “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray'” (vs. 5). In vs. 10-11, Jesus explains, “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”

Even if Matthew 24 is dealing directly with a judgment that has already passed (I admit, I believe that is the case), this concern is still alive and well. There is only one Christ, only one Lord, only one King. But for the last 2000 years there have been repeated competitors lining up, attempting to lead people away from the true Anointed of God. Jesus explains it is our job to see to it that we don’t let someone lead us away from our allegiance to the one, true Christ. We won’t get to plead ignorance to God. We won’t get to blame false prophets, false Christs, or even fallen brothers and sisters. The adversary will use any voice he can to get us to follow someone other than Jesus. We must open our eyes, watch where our true King is leading, and follow Him no matter what anyone else is doing.

He is leading. He has given His Word. He has blazed the trail. We can follow it. Therefore, you must see to it that no one leads you astray.

Who will you follow today?

Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 24.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family

1. What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
2. What attempts does the enemy make to lead us astray today?
3. Do you know anyone who was led astray? How did it happen with them?
4. How can you avoid being led astray?
5. What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?