GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 13:21
When Not to Believe
Many decades ago, Alice and I went to Mexico, crossing the border in Laredo and driving to the beautiful city of Monterrey. As we drove into the city, a boy riding a bicycle came beside our car and said, “Market?” He likely saw the U.S. license plates and thought we might want to purchase something—which we did. I nodded, and he signaled for us to follow him. He swung his bicycle in front of our car and led us through the traffic to a market—a tourist market. I explained to the volunteer guide that we wanted to go to the local market, and he signaled for us to follow him. He led us to another tourist market. I explained to the guide again that we wanted to go to the market where his mother shopped. I think I finally managed to communicate.
We put his bicycle in the back of the car, and he climbed into the back seat and directed us to what might be described as a local market. It was filled with fruit, vegetables, and abundant merchandise. I gave the guide a generous tip, and he went on his way, likely looking for another tourist. Alice found a pair of shoes and a hand-woven blanket while we walked through the sprawling market.
I thought about that young guide on two wheels as I studied Jesus’ warning to his disciples about the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The guide led us to one market, then another, before I managed to explain what we were seeking. In the crisis Jesus described, there would be many pointing to the presence of Christ; he said, “And then if someone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ; look there!’ do not believe it.” (Mark 13:21)
When the young guide said, “There is the market,” or “There is the market,” I did not believe him because I knew what we sought. One way the inhabitants of Jerusalem could prevent being led astray was to know what they sought—the Christ. Having a clear view of Christ is still a way to avoid being led to false Christs.
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