Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 297
13:26–14:9
M ar k
285
Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great
power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen
ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and
heaven.
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its
leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way,
when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return
is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not
pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth
will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen,
not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay
alert!
“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a
man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves
instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper
to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know
when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when
he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch
for him!”
It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for
an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the
Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”
Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who
had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with
a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard.
She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.
Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive
perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the
money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.
But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a
good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, and you can
help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. She has
done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.
I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the
world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
