November 12, 2012, Monday

I've been haunted by the Gospel lesson at our Reformation Sunday service.  The subject was Mark 13: 5-13.

⁵ Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁶ Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹ “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. ¹¹ Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

I draw from Jesus' words that we must spread the gospel at all times, even when we are persecuted for our efforts.  We are told not to worry about these times of persecution or what we are to say when asked to testify in our own defense because the words will come not from us but from the Holy Spirit.

As I read the news stories today, I find Jesus' words very comforting and see the beginning of the birth pains he references in Mark 5:8.

Thanks be to God.