Mark 13:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Mark 13:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
Verse 4"Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?"
Verse 5Then Jesus began to say to them, "Beware that no one leads you astray.
Verse 6Many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray.
Verse 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.
Verse 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.
Devotion
“Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.” (Mark 13:6)
Not long ago, I attended a Christian Women’s gathering. I enjoyed the gathering, until one night when a person got up on stage to make an altar call. After a bit, the person who made the call was apparently disturbed with the meager results and said, “If you aren’t saved and you don’t come up here tonight, you will go to Hell.”
I do not believe God works through threats. God works through grace and invitation. When I was baptized, that was a gracious invitation for me into the family of God. All God asks of me is to love my neighbor as myself, and to take care of the orphan and widow. This is an “altar call” with which I can live!
Prayer
Lord, may we not be led astray, but forever follow God’s message of love and grace. Amen.
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