Mark 13:9-13
New International Version
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Thursday - November 18
What do you hope will save you? Seriously! We can say all the right things about Jesus being our personal Lord and Savior, but we hope that all sorts of things will save us that are not Him. Jesus is warning us here about misplaced hope. Religion will not save you, after all a synagogue was the “church” for the Jews. Government won’t save you. Justice? You think your hope is in a good legal system? That will let you down. How about your family? Surely your family will save you. They’re perfect, right? They help you in every moment of need. What happens when your family falls apart and turns on each other? None of those things are bad. Please do not misunderstand. They are actually quite important and can be incredible blessings! But don’t place your hope in them. They will not save you. Salvation comes through enduring faith in the faithful promise of God alone.