Reading Plan for Mar. 15 - 21
March 15, 2026 | Mark 13:1-13
Reflection:
The thirteenth chapter of Mark is sometimes referred to as “The Little Apocalypse,” which means that it reflects the perspective of the Book of Revelation. Jesus focuses his disciples’ attention on “what is about to happen.” It was probably very difficult for Jesus’ followers to grasp the scope of the kinds of changes that will happen in God’s great reversal. Imagine if Jesus were walking through New York City and pointed out the Twin Towers. And then he said, “Look at these towers. They will tumble and fall. But I will build them up again in a couple of days.” Everyone around him would have thought him crazy. But now, for us 25 years after 9/11, we can easily understand the potential for such monumental buildings to fall so easily. But to rebuild them again in a couple of days? The world saw how long it took to restore that corner of New York City. That’s the scope of the great reversal Jesus proclaims in this passage. The unthinkable will happen…and much of what Jesus predicted did happen and has happened. In the midst of it all, Jesus calls each of us to a faithfulness that reflects one’s utter trust in the goodness and steadfastness of God. Enduring to the end doesn’t mean winning the race above and beyond everyone else. “Abide in the faithfulness of God” is a call to each of us as a community that God’s faithfulness looks like being saved, rescued, freed, emancipated, delivered, and made whole.
March 16, 2026 | Mark 13:14-23
Reflection:
Apocalyptic language is often cryptic. Jesus here speaks in a bit of code: When you see the desolating sacrilege, flee to the mountains! But what is he referring to? Daniel first prophecies about this “abomination” and most likely is talking about a Greek ruler named Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who stopped temple sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple and set up a pagan altar (likely to Zeus) to hold a pig. Neither Daniel nor Jesus speaks directly about the foreign powers and how they will bring great physical and spiritual destruction, but the tone is clear: pay attention to those influences that draw you away from God. A lot of “false prophets” have come and gone in the last 2000 years. How do you discern who’s speaking the truth? Listen to how the prophets speak of compassion and how they actually treat others.
March 17, 2026 | Mark 13:24-37
Reflection:
Doomsday preachers have come and gone since Jesus’ days. The worse that things are in the world, the more prevalent are those who say, “The End is Near!!!” In the 1830s in America, there were a lot of folks proclaiming that the end would come before 1840. They encouraged people to sell all they had and wait for Jesus’ return. Many people were caught up in this doomsday fervency. Jesus’ preaching here says, “Only God knows the time of the end. Trust that God is ultimately in control. God cares for his beloved. Keep the faith, and live compassionately toward your neighbors in the meantime.”
March 18, 2026 | Mark 13:28-37
Reflection:
One question to ask yourself as you read scripture is, “Who is God in this passage?” These verses do not mention God directly, but they do tell us something about God. The God behind the apocalypse cares enough about those who will experience tribulation in this life to say, “I am returning. If you feel lost or forsaken, know that I am coming.” In Mark’s telling, Jesus says that all these tribulations will occur before that generation completely passes from the earth. And indeed it did appear that the end had come when the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. But life went on. These sayings of Jesus are essentially and importantly a call to faithfulness and steadfastness. As we seek to be faithful in all of life’s circumstances, lean into the God who is faithful and steadfast. This is the God who stands behind the ministry and teachings of Jesus.
March 19, 2026 | Mark 14:1-9
Reflection:
In the midst of all the political plotting against Jesus, an unnamed woman does something daring. She ventures into the thick of things, to a place she must know that she isn’t welcome. But Jesus does not turn her away. She dares to be compassionate at the point in the story when everything seems ready to fall apart. And Jesus says that throughout time, she will be remembered. If you wish to be remembered for all time, for what would you like to be remembered?
March 20, 2026 | Mark 14:10-16
Reflection:
Right after we read about the woman who does a daringly memorable and compassionate thing for Jesus, we hear about Judas. Judas, too, will be remembered for eternity for the actions he takes against Jesus. Notice how much plotting is going on in these verses. Judas is scheming, and the disciples become part of a bigger plan that’s been taking shape. Jesus seems to have made arrangements for the Passover meal, and the disciples know nothing about it. There is a bigger story here. Things are being set in place. Each person’s action, whether their names are known or not, will be remembered and evaluated according to how they fit in the overarching plan. It’s been a long time since Judas played his part in all this. What prayer might you pray for Judas and the impact of his actions, especially knowing that his actions seem to fit the larger purposes of God?
March 21, 2026 | Mark 14:17-25
Reflection:
Every time we engage in the Lord’s Supper, at some point we say, “On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he took bread…” It’s how Paul recalls this event [I Cor 11:23-26]. It seems strange that we recall the “betrayal” part of this blessed sacrament every time we enter into it. Yet, Mark’s telling of the Last Supper has Jesus begin the meal with “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” Not quite the ice-breaker we might expect for a solemn meal of thanksgiving. The tenor of the evening is set from the beginning. Everyone is tense and expectant. Then Jesus takes the bread and breaks it and says, “Look at this broken loaf. It is my body.” The themes of betrayal and brokenness haunt this meal. And yet, we find in it the embodiment of God’s redemption, that which reconciles and makes whole. It’s quite the paradox!