Scripture Daily

Context No. 3512 of 4322 · Mark

Context · Reflection

Mark 13:7-11: in context

7“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains. 9“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. 10The Good News must first be preached to all the nations. 11When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Jesus prepares his followers for a hard road: wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution before the end. But notice how he frames these troubles. They are the beginning of birth pains, not the throes of death but the pangs that come before new birth. Even the world's convulsions are moving toward God's purpose, that the gospel be preached to all nations.

And to disciples facing arrest and trial for his name, he gives a striking assurance: do not be anxious beforehand what to say, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. When they stand before rulers and kings, God himself will give them the words. There is deep comfort in this for anyone called to bear witness under pressure. We are not left to our own resources; the Spirit speaks through us. We need not rehearse and worry, but trust God to supply exactly what is needed in the hour. Even in trouble and opposition, God is at work bringing forth new life and speaking through his witnesses.

When I must bear witness under pressure, do I trust the Holy Spirit to give me the words rather than being consumed by anxiety about what to say?

Sources