Daily Devotion – November 12, 2021 – Micah Pearson

Mark 13:1-8

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For 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

The image behind Jesus’ words in today’s gospel reading struck me like a lightning bolt—birth pangs. The pain of birth is surpassed only by the intensity of joy when a child is born. When a mother holds her baby, all the pain of childbirth is turned into gladness. Only a God of love, joy, and life can take pain and turn it into joy.

Though Jesus’ words to his disciples hold the prospect of immediate pain, they also point to confidence that God doesn’t leave us there. God doesn’t abandon us. The prophet Ezekiel promises that God can breathe life into dry bones. The Exodus story shows a God who creates springs of fresh water in desert places. God doesn’t leave us in mourning, in chaos, with dry bones, or in a parched land. And the greatest miracle of all, God doesn’t leave us to die. God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ. For out of death springs life.

Prayer

God, when we feel pain, help us to know you are close by. Show us signs of your gracious love, gifts of your radical healing, and promises of your eternal life. Amen.