The End Is A New Beginning | Mark 13:3-8

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Our text today is Mark 13:3-8:

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. — Mark 13:3-8

The disciples are still thinking about the temple, and understandably so. Jesus just said it would be destroyed. So they ask a natural question: When? What signs should we watch for? Jesus begins to answer. But not in the way they expected. He doesn’t give a date. He gives a warning:

“Don’t be led astray.”

Because before destruction comes deception. Before the end comes confusion. Jesus tells them false messiahs will rise. Nations will rage. Nature itself will unravel. But then he says something strange:

“Do not be alarmed.”

Why? Because we will be alarmed but deception, confusion, false teachers, and rage must take place. But the chaos isn’t the conclusion. It’s the contraction. Jesus calls it “the beginning of the birth pains.” In other words, this isn’t death, it’s labor. Something is being born. And like all births, there’s discomfort before joy.

Most of us don’t like uncertainty. But Jesus prepares us for it. He says there will be tension. Wars. Natural disasters. Fear. False teaching. And every one of those things will make you feel like the world is ending. But it’s not. It’s the beginning of something better.

Jesus doesn't want us to worry about the timing. He’s calling us to remain spiritually steady when everything else feels unstable. So don’t panic. Don’t drift. Don’t follow every voice that claims to speak for God. Stay rooted. Stay alert. Stay calm.

The contractions mean something is coming. And what’s coming is very good and worth the pain.

#StayRooted, #Mark13, #BirthPains

ASK THIS:

1. Why does Jesus begin his answer with “See that no one leads you astray”?
2. How can wars and disasters tempt us into spiritual confusion?
3. What does “birth pains” teach you about God’s redemptive plan?
4. How are you learning to trust rather than panic?

DO THIS:

Write down three things that are shaking your confidence right now—and ask God to help you see them not as endings, but as birth pains.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, help me stay grounded in you when the world is shaking. I choose faith over fear—because I trust the One writing the story. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Be Still.”