As the disciples admired the temple buildings with their large stones (Mark 13:2), Jesus warned that very troubled days were coming. The temple would be desecrated with a “desolating sacrilege” and people would need to “flee to the mountains” (13:14). There would be many who would try to lead people astray (13:5-6), and the temple itself would lie in ruins: “not one stone will be left here upon another” (13:2).

That’s how it happened, just a few decades later, within the lifetime of many who heard Jesus’ words. The people of Israel rebelled against Roman rule, and the Romans did not take it well. They marched their army into Jerusalem in 70 AD and wrecked the city. They destroyed the temple. A lot of people died, and the rest ran for their lives.

But though the suffering and persecution they experienced was far more severe than the challenges we sometimes face, there is an application for us: people in your own family will betray you (13:12), you will be beaten and put on trial (13:9), and “you will be hated by all because of my name” (13:13). Faithfulness will call for perseverance in the midst of trial: “the one who endures to the end will be saved” (13:13).

I’ve never been enthusiastic about suffering and persecution, even though the little I have faced has been quite mild. In many nations of the world people currently experience very severe persecution, with beatings, loss of property, enslavements, and killings. It is hard to picture ourselves doing well if we had to face such suffering. Courage is hard. Endurance is hard. But if we are only faithful when it is very easy, does that even really count as endurance?

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Will we be steadfast in our loyalty to you, Jesus, when it is awkward and uncomfortable to proclaim our allegiance? Will we remain faithful, in the midst of suffering? Help us, Lord, to endure to the end, trusting that we will find our salvation in you.

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