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The Bible Study – Our readings for Friday, March 15 are Genesis 47:1-31 & Mark 13:24-37. Pharoah receives the blessing of Jacob; a man Egyptians would have considered a lowly Hebrew. When asked his age by Pharoah, Jacob cites the 130 years of his ‘pilgrimage.’ He has awaited the fulfillment of God’s promise of a land. Jacob has Joseph vow to bury him at Machpelah, so his descendants will remember their homeland is not Egypt. As Christians, we should remember our eternal home is in Heaven with the Lord. Pharoah’s blessing came from a lowly shepherd, Jacob. Our true blessing came in humble form – the infant born in a manger, the man who was also true God and humbled Himself to die on a cross for our sins. Today we have God’s means of grace, seemingly ordinary, but majestic through God’s power – His Word, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. In our Gospel passage, Christ continues what is known as the ‘Olivet discourse.’ Jesus describes the signs of Christ’s Second Coming, the lesson of the fig tree, and an exhortation to watchfulness. The startling signs in the heavens and the distress on earth forewarn of God’s judgment on a fallen world and the return of His Son. Remember Jesus’ words in verse 32 as He explains that no one knows when the end of time will take place. Those who claim to know are among the things Christ warns us to avoid. On the Day of Judgment, no one will enter the Kingdom of Heaven based on their own merits or ‘good works.’ Only through faith in Christ as Saviour will we be saved. Jesus tells us that the generation witnessing these cataclysmic final signs will not perish until His return occurs. The end comes suddenly, so Christ urges us to remain faithful, spiritually awake, and proclaim the Gospel for the salvation of those around us. As St. Augustine wrote, our personal end may come long before the Last Day. Lord, help us to use the time wisely, and witness to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/sermons/dealing-with-doubt