Missions Under the Cross

The Olivet Discourse (Mathew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21) is a prophetic and apocalyptic argument against boastful ideas that the end-time fulfillment of God’s promises could come to pass through the strength of man. Building upon the already assumed framework of the Law and Prophets, the intention of Jesus in the discourse is more than continued forecasting of eschatological events, but to emphasize the apocalyptic, end-time framework in order to produce a response of discipleship congruent with the God-ordained delay of the Day of the Lord. The response required of disciples of Jesus is that of a faithful, suffering witness, that follows in the example of their crucified Messiah. This teaching explores these themes against the backdrop of the life of Peter, whose fervent zeal in the strength of man was radically reoriented to follow his suffering Master, and whose writings, particularly emphasized in his account of the Olivet Discourse (Mark 13) lead us to walk down a similar path in following and proclaiming Him as we watch for His coming.

Missions Under the Cross

by David | Missions Under the Cross