GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 13:12
Brother Against Brothers
A slice of humanity is visible in daytime small-claims court programs. In a recent program, a mother was suing her daughter; in another, a brother was suing his brother; sons were suing their fathers.
When the disciples asked Jesus what they should look for as a sign that the terrible destruction of the temple he described would begin, he presented them with a long litany of woes. There would be wars, earthquakes, his disciples would be hauled before courts and synagogues, his message would be broadcast through the nations, and there would be a societal breakdown: “And brother will hand over brother to death, and father child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death.” (Mark 13:12)
One application of Jesus’ prophecy took place in Jerusalem. As more Jews became believers, persecution arose. Prosecutions filled the synagogue courts during the 60s, but the Roman army brought them to an end in A.D. 70 under General Titus. The Romans tore apart Herod’s temple and wreaked havoc on Palestine. Then Jesus’ prophecy took on new meaning as the Romans came to see Christianity as something other than a Jewish sect and began a bloody campaign to extinguish the movement.
Later, when Christianity grew to prominence and legality, Christian leaders unleashed a massive persecution against other Christians who differed from the established order. For example, John Hus (1369-1415) advocated a simple Christianity. He was summoned to a church council and promised safe conduct; however, the council declared him a heretic. Claiming that the Church was not obligated to keep its word to a heretic, Hus was arrested and burned at the stake, and a vicious persecution was launched against his followers.
Jesus’ prophecy is a message for Christians today that persecution may come, and a caution against Christians themselves becoming the source of persecution.
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