Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 8-9
NT: Mark 13:14-37
Ps: Psalm 50
Pr: Proverbs 10:29-30
Today´s notable verse:
30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Mark 13:30-31 (NIV)
An interesting statement; a few translations have “generation” in verse 30 footnoted as “or race“. Does this prophecy regard the destruction of the temple in 70 AD (literal generation), or does it refer to Christ’s return (Hebrew race)? Or both?
I love the thought that Jesus’ words are eternal, and exist outside of our concept of space and time. I’ve actually spent a lot of time considering the imagery of Jesus as the Word, and the symbolism of the Spirit as breath. Thus, even at the time of the creation, we see the Trinity: God, speaking forth the Word, carried on His Breath – Father, Son, Holy Spirit; or, Jesus, as the active working of God’s will, and the Spirit the means or mechanism by which that will is carried out. So many ways to think about the relationship – and then I realize that we’ll never fully understand or comprehend the nature of the Three-in-One God until we stand face-to-face before Him. But thank God that He gives even but a glimpse of Who He Is!
The One Year Bible Blog asks:
Comments from You & Question of the Day – Based on my reflections above on Mark 13:32-33, I am reminded of something I read on another Christian blog recently and it really did make me think. Here’s how this blog put it, and I think this relates well to these Mark verses – “breaking news: mortality rate is STILL 100%! You are not guaranteed all the days you believe you have coming to you. What would you do differently if today was your last day alive?” Powerful question for each of us to consider, no? What would you do differently if today was your last day alive?
You know, I’m not sure I’d do a whole lot differently if today was my last day alive. If that were true today, I’d have a lot to take care of in order to make sure my affairs are in order – but I am working on a plan now to make sure that my affairs are already taken care of. Even if today were my last day, I would still have to prove myself faithful with the things of which I have been made a steward – including my job, and the relationships in my lfe. Of course, I work because I have present responsibilities for which I am accountable; if today were my last day, I would only have one more day for which I am accountable, and then those responsibilities would pass to others.
I try to let everyone know what I think and how I feel about them – what they mean to me and to my life. I believe my family and friends all know, and I would not regret that I left some words unsaid – though, some words can never be said too much.
I want to be like Paul – who knew he had run his race, and that his reward awaited him. I know I have not yet finished my race, which is why I know that today is not my last day – yet, God’s ways are higher than mine, and I submit myself fully to His will and timing for my life. If my dreams are bigger than my race, then I know God made them that way, and that He has a purpose.