The lectionary introductory verse is a little misleading today when it states: "Jesus began to talk to his disciples." In fact, what is said is part of a conversation initiated by the senior disciples, Peter, James, John and Andrew who ask him privately: " 'Tell us when this will be, and what will be the sign that these things are about to be accomplished.' " (Mk 13: 3-4) We, as missionary disciples, are made privy to this conversation which echoes the revelation of Christ's messianic glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. On this occasion we sit with Jesus on the Mount of Olives which is where the Messiah was thought to appear when the end of time comes about. Jesus prophecies much suffering, but the real spoiler alert is that the prophecy concerning the Son of Man, from the Book of Daniel (Dan 7: 13-14), will be fulfilled. Post resurrection we know that Jesus is the Son of Man and that in his risen glory he holds ultimate power to the future: " 'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of death and of Hades." (Rev 1: 17-19) This means that even though the timing of the end of the world is known only to the Father (Mk 13: 32) we can be confident that our Lord and Saviour, victor over sin and death, will be there to sustain us with his power on that day: "... so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." (Heb 9: 28)
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