Everyone knows these two

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“She has done what she could…” Mark 14:3-11 ESV

Jesus has left the city and returned to Bethany, where he is having dinner at Simon the leper’s house. While they are eating, a woman enters the room with an unusually precious box of spikenard. No one is concerned with her presence but all are startled by what she does next.

She breaks open the alabaster container and begins pouring the ointment on Jesus’s head. The act of such an annointing was not unusual in Jewish culture, but perhaps it was somewhat unexpected during the evening meal!

Mark records only one reaction to her. There was no middle ground. No one questioned how she came about having such a costly item. No one moved to prevent her entrance to the house or meal. But they were all indignant at what she did.

They didn’t complain about the brashness of her actions, but against the waste of such a costly item! It could have been sold to raise a lot of money to provide for the poor. They began to murmur against her.

However, Jesus defends her. He is critical of their criticisms: you have plenty of opportunity to help the poor any time you want. She has done a good thing. She has annointed my body in preparation for burial. That’s right – if you’ve been listening – you know my death is imminent. I will not be with you much longer.

How hard it must have been to remember those last words later and come to the gut-wrenching realization that you wasted an opportunity to be close to Jesus! Who cares what happens to expensive perfume when you have the precious Savior sitting next to you?

Once again, Jesus looks beyond what has captivated everyone’s attention and reveals what really is happening. What we value is not necessarily what is valuable. Those things that we feel are so urgent and important are but a mere distraction from where our attention and energies should be applied (remember the widow’s mite, Mark 12:41-44). Jesus says that what this woman has done will be recounted wherever the gospel story is told. It will be a memorial to her.

Afterwards Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, makes a decision. If the story was not so well known, we would be shocked to read it. He goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus, to turn him in. They are glad to hear it and promise him money when the deed is done. Judas now looks for a “convenient” time to betray Jesus. How sad. One of Jesus’ hand-picked followers, who has seen and heard so much, now acts the traitor. By the way, we remember him, too.

What’s your choice? Are you devoted enough to Jesus that you don’t care what others think of you? Or do you follow the crowd, pretending he’s not that much of a big deal?

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

The plot thickens

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“…lest there be an uproar…” Mk. 14:1-2

Back to our story. Jesus has been openly teaching in Jerusalem in the temple every day. He freely moves about the temple grounds, interacting with the people gathered there. He is not stirring up the crowds, urging some sort of revolt or demonstration against the Romans. He is only teaching and instructing people the ways of God.

Then again, he did make a ruckus with the money changers. And he restored the sight of a blind man down in Jericho. And he did arrive riding a donkey while the crowd went wild, shouting hosannas and declaring “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The kind of things the would-be messiahs say they would do, but can never quite pull off.

Yet, in the evenings, Jesus and the disciples leave the city and return to Bethany. This could be seen as a security measure. Jerusalem is not friendly territory and moving outside its walls at night reduces risk. Those of us who have looked ahead in the book know that the night Jesus spends in Jerusalem will be his last.

The chief priests and scribes are aware of Jesus’ movements. They see the crowds hanging on his every word. The people have become distracted away from the feasts and festivals they have traveled here to observe. In reality, they are seeing what these celebrations have been pointing to all these centuries: the coming of the Lord. They are beginning to realize that the rites they have been diligently following all their lives are but the shadow cast by this Man Jesus.

You would think that the Jewish leaders would be overjoyed. The main point of all their teaching, preaching and celebration is now standing on their doorstep, saying marvelous things and performing miracles. See, they would say, we have been right about this all the time! But instead, they are holding secret meetings and figuring out how Jesus can be arrested quietly and quickly put to death. They are planning the equivalent of a predawn raid by the FBI, under the cover of darkness and before any opposition is even out of bed. Except the FBI is nicer. They only throw their culprit into a jail cell and destroy his reputation and substance in the courts for months to come. These leaders simply want Jesus dead.

But the moment is not right yet. Too many people would object to such an extreme move. Sure, if they were stealthy enough and kept the killing out of the news and spread rumors about Jesus chickening out or some such rubbish, they might get away with it. The important thing was keeping the Romans pacified. If the crowds found out suddenly – maybe even witnessed the killing themselves – there would be a huge uproar that the armed legions would forcefully put to an end. And possibly the Jewish leadership with it.

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

Don’t be caught napping

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“No one knows, so Watch!” Mark 13:28-37

When will these things happen? Not sure we can say for certain. All we know is that any one who thus far has proposed a specific timetable has been wrong. But Jesus gives us a general idea.


He uses the illustration of a fruit tree awakening from its winter sleep. As the sun returns with its light and warmth, the tree (identified as a fig) begins to leaf out. What does this signify? That summer is near.

In the same way, he says, when the things he has been talking about begin to happen, we can know that the time is near, very near, even knocking at our door. He narrows it down to a generation which will live to see the end. Of this he is certain, as certain as the word of the Son of God can be.


But the exact time and date? No one knows. Not any man. Not any angel in heaven. Not even Christ himself. Only God the Father knows. We are to take heed and pay attention. We are to watch and pray because we do not know when the time is.

Jesus compares himself to a man taking a long trip far away. While he is gone, he expects his people to be diligent about his business, to do the work he has given them to do, and to keep in touch so they will be aware of his arrival. So are we to be watchful. We are not sure when he will arrive. His plane might be delayed or traffic is a mess. He could come at any hour of the day. Just don’t be caught sleeping when he’s expecting to be met at the gate.


Third time is a charm. Jesus cannot stress this enough:

  • v.33 Take heed, watch and pray
  • v.35 Watch therefore
  • v.37 I say to all: Watch!

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

Coming soon

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October 12, 2023

“…with great power and glory.” Mark 13:24-27

Tough times are coming. The terrible events that Jesus speaks of were given as prophecy but sound a lot like the news headlines of our present day. I suppose all generations faced with such terror and destruction have seen their day in the same way. They wonder with us, Is this it, Lord?

But there is more to come. Things not related to “man’s inhumanity to man” but to natural events that are beyond any storm, earthquake or volcanic inferno anyone has ever witnessed. Things that are not confined to our puny planet. Jesus outlines four cataclysmic events:

  • The sun shall be darkened
  • The moon shall not give her light
  • The stars of heaven shall fall
  • The powers that are in heaven shall be shaken

The first three might be explained in terms of rare but not uncommon astronomical events, such as solar and lunar eclipses or meteor showers. But Jesus gives these as a signal that something else is about to occur. They must be significant enough events that will attract attention. Ones that astronomers will not be able to comprehend.


Science has recognized the clockwork precision by which the universe runs (but, alas, not the Source of that mechanism). What if that clock suddenly burst into a mass of flying gears, axles and springs?

As we develop telescopes that peer deeper and deeper into space, we uncover more questions than answers. Assumptions on how the universe began and continues are being shaken. We are now encountering light rays from the beginning of the universe. We know less than we thought and what we thought we knew is being tossed into the nearest black hole. Is the universe as stable as we hope it to be?


These events that Jesus describes may not last long enough for any explanations to be attempted. Their only purpose is to herald the next big event: Then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.


No one will have a chance to ask: What caused this? How did this happen? Why didn’t we see it coming? The coming of Jesus in the clouds will be absolutely overwhelming. It will push out all other thoughts and concerns. This is it. It has finally happened!


The angels will come and swiftly gather up those who have kept their faith, those who have held true to the Lord. None will be missed or lost in the ruins. God will be faithful as he always has been. It will be time for eternity to begin as those former things pass away.

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

False Christs

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“Look! There he is!” Mark 13:21-23 ESV

At one time, it would have been fully believable to hear someone say “Look! There is Jesus!”, but those days are past. Jesus has been resurrected, he is no longer dead, but he also is no longer present with us in physical form. We must rely on his spirit and his word for guidance and comfort in our present time.

So, we must be very careful when we hear something like “Jesus has come back! He is just over there!” Anyone who makes this claim is intentionally deceiving you. We don’t have to worry about missing him. We won’t need to be told.

We will be the first to know.

What does it mean to be false? Today we fill our minds with a lot of fiction and fantasy in the form of movies, videos, games, books, etc. We have become quite comfortable with worlds and scenarios that are just not real. How do we tell when something or someone is just plain deceptive, misleading or not genuine?

Jesus tells us that these pretenders will be very convincing. They will be attractive, becoming, capable of incredible prophecies that actually come true. Or not. Who cares? It’s all so thrilling! They will perform amazing signs and wonders. Miracles will abound, seducing even the most faithful believer to turn away and follow them.

Please note that there are actual prophecies, signs and wonders that come from God. The trick is knowing what is real and what is not. (Hint: who gets the glory and credit? If it is a man or woman, beware!)

Get to know the real Jesus Christ while you can. Study his Word consistently and spend more of your time in prayer. Learn to trust him for the daily affairs of your life. This can be hard, stressful work, but soon you will see the rewards.

Copyright 2023 David J. Cooley

Merry Christmas

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Every year we do this
Do you remember why?

Christ’s beloved friend John says,
In the beginning was the Word,
And the Word was with God,
And the word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, 
and without him was not any thing made that was made.

So what’s he doing here,
In a small town, in a manger,
Unknown, all but forgotten
With no earthly hope of importance?

In him was life
and the life was the light of men
The light shines in the darkness, 
and the darkness has not overcome it.

Darkness does not get along with light.
It flees any light, and does not desire it.
Somehow darkness invaded the soul of men,
Nay, it was invited by man to live within him.

Why?
When the light is so beautiful and full of life?
Man thought he knew better
and sought knowledge
Knowledge of good and evil,
but not wisdom to know the difference
Knowledge without
guidance and discipline.

And isn’t that the rub?
No one likes being told
What to do,
what to believe,
what to think,
how to act
(unless he is the one telling, of course).

He was in the world
and the world was made through him
yet the world did not know him.

He came to his own, 
and his own people did not receive him.
But to all who did receive him, 
who believed in his name, 
he gave the right to become children of God.

And the Word became flesh 
and dwelt among us, 
and we have seen his glory, 
glory as of the only Son from the Father, 
full of grace and truth.

This is Jesus!
the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world! 

Merry Christmas

Run!

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“But when ye shall see…” Mark 13:14-20

The disciples’ original question was “when will these things happen” and “how will we know when”. Now Jesus gives them the answer: when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not. This is not new information. They know their prophecy. That is why they were alert when Jesus appeared on the scene. He reminds them that this is the same thing the prophet Daniel has warned them about.

What is the abomination of desolation? Is it a person? A spirit? The antichrist? Not sure I can answer that satisfactorily here. It is described in the strongest of terms. An abomination is something detestable, filthy, disgusting. In biblical thought it often refers to idolatry. To desolate is to stun, stupefy, appall, devastate, to lay waste. Not the sort of thing any person would look forward to, even if it is a sign of the Lord’s coming.

Take inventory: how many things are going on in the world today that were not spoken of even a few years ago? I’m not suggesting a “frog in the pot” approach where we slowly become accustomed to strange new ideas. These things seem to happen after a few hints then are suddenly upon us in full force. Anyone standing in the way is destroyed. All you need do to realize this is to watch the news. But something worse is coming. Worse than anything anyone has experienced before.

Jesus provides a very practical response. In fact, it is not spiritual at all. He just says, Run. Did you get that? RUN! Don’t stop to take anything with you. Pray for help and protection, but go! Things will get so bad, that God will have to intervene to prevent the total annihilation of all flesh.

We aren’t given times and dates and checklists to figure this out. For Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it will be a gut-level response. It will be overwhelming revulsion; a sickening sense of helplessness and hopelessness on the deepest spiritual level. Everything of God that is good and true will be rejected horribly. But do not despair. Just get away. Jesus is coming and coming quickly.

Copyright 2022 David J. Cooley

With friends like these

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“…the one who endures to the end will be saved. ” Mark 13:9-13 ESV

There’s an old song that goes something like this: “you only hurt the one you love.” Another way to look at it is: you can only be hurt by those you love, those whom you’ve let into your life, cared for, and nurtured. These are the ones Jesus brings up now in his discussion of the times of the end on the Mount of Olives.

Mark starts off by saying “they” will turn you over to the authorities, both religious and civil. These authorities think they have you on trial, but God sees it the other way around. They are on trial and you are the star witness.

So who are the “they” that Mark mentions? Those who are near and dear to you. Brothers, fathers, sons. Children will rise up against their parents. No one wants to be betrayed, but the betrayal of a friend stings worse than the worst an enemy can do.

The stakes are high – beatings and death. But the threat that you pose as a believer in Jesus Christ is so extreme that they can justify it. The real offense is Him. Anything that reminds them of Him must be eliminated and they will stop at nothing to accomplish it. It may be organized and systematic. It may be utter chaos, boiling with mob-driven rioting. It doesn’t matter. They will come for you.

How do you defend yourself against such frenzy? You don’t. First, you must be smart. Stay on your guard. Don’t be tricked into sacrificing yourself needlessly. Then when they haul you before the judge, don’t panic. Don’t worry about what to say. Jesus is on trial, not you. He will provide the words. His Holy Spirit will speak through you.

Thankfully, we are not yet faced with such wide scale opposition, but it is beginning to happen. There is still time and opportunity to accomplish our mission: spreading the good news. This is our first priority and the focus of our energies and efforts. This race may be long and arduous, but run it to the finish.

Alarming and disquieting events

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“…ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars…” Mark 13:7, 8

What were the questions the disciples asked Jesus? “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 3:4). When and when. Hearing about the destruction of the temple brought to their minds all sorts of catastrophic prophecies they have heard. They compiled these together and came to a single conclusion: THE END IS NEAR.

But so far Jesus hasn’t given much insight as to when. He’s already warned them against deception. Now he speaks of wars. He says they will hear of wars and reports (or rumors) of wars. He doesn’t deny they’re coming. He doesn’t warn against spreading unverified information. Instead he tells them not to be troubled when they hear of them. They’re going to happen. There’s no stopping them. Of course we should be concerned for the victims of war, but keep your head.

Bad times tempt people to fear the world is falling apart. It doesn’t matter if it’s a military uprising, political manipulation or an economic upheaval. It could be social unrest or the mass undermining of morality. We tend to put ourselves in the same rut, declaring again and again: THE END IS NEAR.

Jesus demands a different conclusion: The end is not here yet. He repeats himself in verse eight, expanding on what he said in verse seven. Still no hint of when. Just an indication that these kinds of events will be the beginning of sorrows. And in the following verses he gives some clear ideas of what form these sorrows will take (stay tuned).

So, the disciples have received two items of instruction thus far: 1) Don’t be deceived, even by those who claim to come in his name; and 2) The end will not be heralded by big headlines in the evening news. They are bound to happen as a matter of course. The end is not yet. And the clear implication is that he’s already told us what business (preaching the Good News) we are to occupy our time with. So keep at it.

What’s that commotion?

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But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions… (Luke 21:9 KJV)

Sometimes when children are put to bed they furtively whisper, laugh and giggle instead of going to sleep. And parents may confront them with “What’s all that commotion in there?” But our use of the word in that way is a mere shadow of it’s actual meaning.

Merriam-Webster gives the primary definition of commotion as “a condition of civil unrest or insurrection.” Luke could not have picked a better word to describe our current events as he relates what Jesus had to say about the approach of the end times. More often we remember Mark and Matthew’s rendition of “wars and rumors of wars.” But Luke has hit upon something that is much closer to home.

The modern translations give a broader sense of what is in mind: revolts, uprisings, disturbances, tumults. One scholar calls it simply disorder, as opposed to peace, which is the order of God.

There is no need to list specific events as examples of this commotion. The riots, demonstrations, confusion, deception, corruption, violence and even mass killings of today will give way to other unthinkable means of disorder tomorrow.

As horrible as these things may be and might become, Jesus says “be not terrified.” They are merely signposts of what lies over the horizon. The end will not come until later. There is still time for the Lord to complete his purposes; still time for him to comfort, strengthen and save all who come to him.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV