GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 13:23
Look Out!
I’ve been married to Alice for over 65 years, and she is still as much a mystery to me as she was more than six decades ago. Her intuitive perception still mystifies me, but I’ve learned to give it special attention. When she says, “You know…,” my ears perk up. She has intuited something that deserves attention. I’ve kidded her about having some special power, but I take heed of her insight.
In Jesus’ conversation with his disciples, he shifted from prophecy to exhortation: “But you, watch out. I have told you beforehand all things.” (Mark 13:23) This was the second time in this lesson that Jesus used the imperative “Look out!” (cf. 13:9, βλέπετε, blepete, “be on your guard,” “take heed,” or “look out.”) According to St. Matthew, a witness, Jesus added, “So if they say to you, ‘Look! He’s in the wilderness,’ don’t go out looking for him. And if they say, ‘Look! He’s in the storeroom,’ don’t believe it.” (Matt. 24:26 NIV)
One commentator quoted A. T. Robertson, a biblical scholar from the previous generation (1863-1934), who, commenting on Jesus’ admonition, said, “Gullibility is no mark of a saint. Credulity ranks no higher than skepticism. God gave us our wits for self-protection.”
I understand my task in “looking out” as a believer to be to shun credulity, avoid skepticism, and remain loyal to the Word of God—a life that requires the spiritual gift of wisdom.
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