Explore the Bible: Returning

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Nov. 5 focuses on Mark 13:24–37.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bible lessons like this one have been an important part of the Baptist Standard for many years. Each has a cost of at least $50 to produce. To ensure these lessons continue to be provided the rest of 2023 and into 2024, you can make a donation in any amount by visiting our donation page. In the comments field, note your donation is toward the cost of Bible studies.

WRITER’S NOTE: This lesson is not appropriate for younger children. For older, more mature children, proceed cautiously. Wording in Mark 13 passage presents destruction of Temple and return of Jesus in a mixed fashion.

• Jesus told the disciples about the future.
• He prophesied that the temple would soon be destroyed.
• He promised to return and gather all followers. No one knows when.
• We are to be aware of false teachers and impostors.

Jesus Teaches in the Temple (Mark 12)

On Monday of the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry), Jesus clears the temple of buyers and sellers. Surprisingly, on Tuesday, Jesus returns to the temple, teaching there all day (Mark 12). Jesus freely talks with small groups of people. Many have challenging questions. All are amazed at Jesus’ responses. Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard.

The vineyard’s owner sends a series of agents to collect his owner’s share of the grape harvest. The leasing group kills each one. Then the owner sends his son. They kill him also. Now they see themselves as the owners, because the heir to the vineyard is dead. The owner himself returns, kills the leasing group, and gives the vineyard to others.

After the telling of this parable, the Jewish leaders withdraw and leave Jesus to teach.

Jesus Speaks About Future (Mark 13:1-13)

As Jesus and his disciples leave the temple on Tuesday, the disciples have a foreboding—the Jewish authorities will soon come after Jesus. To break tension, one disciple admires the temple’s magnificence and asks if Jesus agrees.

Jesus knows that in the coming week, temple authorities will arrest him. He will suffer intensely and die atoning for all sins. A new covenant with God’s people will be established. Jesus will rise again, bringing hope and purpose to the world. For now, he must continue to prepare this group of disciples.

Jesus responds that every stone of the temple “will be thrown down”.  The Romans did demolish the temple about 40 years later as they put down a Jewish revolt.

Later, as Jesus relaxed in the Mount of Olives, Peter, Andrew, James and John came to him and asked two questions.

• When will the temple be destroyed?
• What signs will appear before the destruction?

At first, Jesus does not answer the disciples’ temple questions.

Jesus tells disciples that impostors of him will appear. Wars and rumors of wars will continue. Earthquakes and famines, too. Under the pressure to choose for or against Jesus, family ties will break.  Persecution lies ahead. Followers will face hostility; enemies of Jesus will hate them. Authorities will be pressured to put followers on trial and administer punishments. These are witnessing opportunities. They will speak to governors and kings. Jesus assures the disciples the Holy Spirit will equip them as they stand firm in God’s truth.

The priority is to preach the gospel to all nations.

Abomination of Desolation (Mark 13:14-23, 30)

What signs will appear before the temple destruction?  Jesus responds in verse 14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” “Abomination” is something that God hates because it is offensive to him or his character. The space in the temple that is deemed sacred to God, the Holy of Holies, is violated by unclean persons with unclean objects performing unclean acts. Desolation is a “place of ruin.”

Josephus, the Jewish historian, was present at the Roman destruction of the temple and fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. His reporting on Roman desecration and pillage of the Holy of Holies and grotesque Jewish deaths inside the temple line up with Jesus’ prophecy. The entire Jewish population did flee Jerusalem. They were “days of distress” for the people.

In verse 30, Jesus prophesies that the temple will be destroyed in the lifetime of this generation—the answer to the disciples’ second question. The destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. ended the practice of sacrifice in a Jewish temple for now; worship services occur in local synagogues. The Jews lost Jerusalem and the temple.

People will see the Son of Man Coming (Mark 13:26-27, 32)

Jesus tells the disciples that someday he will return to the earth. He will come “in clouds with great power and glory” (v. 26). His angels will gather his followers from wherever they are, on earth or in outer space or in heaven (v. 27). Followers will then live with Jesus forever.

When? “No one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (v.32).

Watch (Mark 13:33-37)

Jesus has gone away physically. He has left his followers behind to “be Jesus for others” and to tell of his love for all. Each follower has assigned tasks. Jesus remains with us spiritually. The Holy Spirit lives inside us to help us. Jesus will return, and we will then go to live with him. We are to remember that—and watch for him.

Glen Funderburk has taught children’s Sunday school for many years. These lessons on the Gospel of Mark are written from the perspective of children.