Image from agnusday.org
Hear here: https://bit.ly/48I0V04
View here: https://bit.ly/3AASozk
1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 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. (Mark 13:1-8 NIV Bible)
Every birth story is different, but they are all special. The first one is always the most memorable because one does not know what to expect. We were living in Rio Grande City, at my first fulltime appointment as a pastor at First United Methodist Church, a church that was in the Rio Grande Annual Conference. It was a dual lingual church, having a Spanish and an English service. Our doctor for our first blessed event was in McAllen, a trip of about 32 miles. The doctor had given us a mas o menos time when our baby would arrive. A seminary classmate had promised us a hundred dollars if the baby was born on his birthday of January 31st; so there was that. And it was on that evening that the first of the symptoms arrived. And it would be at 2 a.m. that they would intesntify and merit our drive to Nellie's sister's home in Peñitas, TX. We were now within stirking distance to the old McAllen Hospital in downtown McAllen, where our baby would arrive. I should mention it was not an easy night for my bride. Me? I wish I could say I was a calm, cool, and collected father-to-be; but I'd be lying. I just thank God that I do not bite my fingernails.
This passage is about the coming destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Needless, to say, not what the tourist-acting disciples wanted, or needed, to hear. The temple was a living symbol of who they were and Whose they were. When they marvel and gush at what it made them feel, Jesus says, 'Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." Gulp. Wait. What? This was the national monument, Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Monument, all rolled into one. This was the focal point of Jewish life and identify.
Yet, Jesus doesn’t just speak about the Temple’s destruction, but about what will come afterward — the chaos, the false prophets, the wars, and the natural disasters that will mark the approach of the end. He cautions them to be vigilant: "Watch out that no one deceives you" (Mark 13:5). The message is clear: in the midst of tumult, believers must stay rooted in truth and prepared for what’s to come.
Jesus describes the signs of the end times in vivid language — wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and famines. These things are not the end itself but “the beginning of birth pains” (Mark 13:8). The imagery of birth pains is particularly striking: like a woman in labor, the world will experience increasing intensity and frequency of trials leading up to the final day. These events are not to be feared but seen as part of God's sovereign plan.
We are reminded here that life in this fallen world will be marked by struggle. Whether it's global unrest, personal suffering, or even spiritual doubts, Jesus doesn’t promise an easy path. Instead, He prepares His followers with the reality of hardship and the certainty of God's ultimate triumph. The “birth pains” are a reminder that the pains of this world will give way to something far greater — the arrival of God's Kingdom.
What does this mean for us today? We are not only looking back at these prophetic words, but we are also looking forward, awaiting the fulfillment of God's promises. Just as the disciples were to prepare for the days ahead, so are we. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the world’s crises — political unrest, natural disasters, economic instability. But Jesus tells us not to be alarmed. He encourages us to see these signs as reminders that He is coming again, and that history is moving toward a glorious conclusion, not spiraling into chaos without hope.
As we live in these times, it’s crucial to remain anchored in faith. Jesus calls us to stand firm in the face of uncertainty and to trust that our suffering has a purpose. He also calls us to avoid the traps of deception that would distract us from our hope in Him. The world may try to pull us away, but we are to keep our eyes fixed on the One who is our ultimate source of hope, strength, and peace.
PRAYER: Loving God, hank You for the words of warning and encouragement that You gave to Your disciples, and that You continue to speak to us today. Help us to remain steadfast in the midst of trials and uncertainties. Give us eyes to see the signs of the times and hearts that are anchored in Your promises. Protect us from deception and help us to be faithful witnesses of Your truth in a world that so desperately needs hope. We trust that You are coming again, and until that day, we will stand firm in Your love. In Christ Jesus' strong hame we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let us not be deceived by the noise around us, but stay rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Live each day with eternity in view, knowing that the struggles we face now are not the end but the beginning of something even more glorious. Be a witness of hope to those around you, and encourage one another to stand firm in the faith.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
