
Mark 4:35, “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
The disciples would need this lesson again and again as they pioneered churches all over the world (many storms) and yet the promise, “Let us go over to the other side” still rang true. We’re not there yet but we are going to make it. Stay strong in courageous hope…
Example 1: The Destruction of Jerusalem
Text: Matthew 24:1-3, 15-16, 32-34
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
“So, when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
In other words, Jesus is giving his followers in 30 AD a sign that was to be their trigger for action: “when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’…then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
What is Jesus referring to? Luke tells us:
Luke 21:20, “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
Matthew 24:32-34, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
I.e. Jesus is giving his followers HOPE to see them through TO THE OTHER SIDE!
History reveals that Jesus’ followers understood his prophecies. When the Christians saw ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ they left Jerusalem thus escaping what Jesus referred to as the “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). The believers fled Jerusalem to a town called Pella, and thus saved themselves. In fact, not a single Christian perished in the destruction of Jerusalem. The total destruction of Jerusalem occurred three and a half years later, at the end of the Great Tribulation, in 70 AD.
Listening to and obeying God’s Word brought the Christians through the storm and to the other side!
Example 2: The Spanish Flu
The deadliest outbreak of disease in modern times
CDC estimates 50 million people died
Plus 20 million died in WW1 (imagine the impact)
Originated in the US
What was implemented?
• Physical distancing
• Mandatory wearing of masks. One ditty read, “Obey the laws, and wear the gauze, Protect your jaws, From septic paws.”
• Mass quarantines
• Bans on public gatherings including church services, schools, dancing, and theatres.
What was the reaction?
• Most people complied ~ like today!
• Church leaders became creative: some printed sermons in local newspapers; some pastors handwrote Bible studies and posted them to members. People were encouraged to meet in small groups in homes.
• Some churches refused to stop meeting; others met outside.
Evangelist Billy Sunday held a mass crusade in which he said he “prayed down the epidemic.” Many people in his meetings, who were sick with the flu, collapsed and three weeks of his services were cancelled.
• Sermon: The Spanish Flu - One of the last plagues (Revelation)
• Some politicians denied that influenza posed a threat and made no preparations for it (sound familiar?)
• Anti-maskers: “Anti-mask league” ~ mask slackers
NY Times: “In 1918 and 1919, as bars, saloons, restaurants, theaters and schools were closed, masks became a scapegoat, a symbol of government overreach, inspiring protests, petitions and defiant bare-face gatherings. All the while, thousands of Americans were dying in a deadly pandemic.”
• Conspiracy theories: The 1918 flu pandemic was blamed on German Submarines brought the disease as a “terrible new weapon of war.” Someone else blamed the Germans maintaining “that the germs were inserted into aspirin manufactured by the German pharmaceutical firm Bayer.”
“Modern” technology was blamed: electric lights, Telegraph poles.
We look back and consider those conspiracy theories to be ridiculous. In 2120 people will think the same about the conspiracies people are spreading during the current Pandemic.
• The Spanish Flu came in three waves over two years as the virus mutated. The second wave killed the most people.
Pandemics have come and gone throughout human history. There have been numerous pandemics since Jesus’ birthed his church. While all of these viruses have caused great sickness, death, and heartache, the Church of Jesus Christ is still strong. It’s alive and well. God brings us TO THE OTHER SIDE!
The 1920s was a period of dramatic social and political change. People had had enough of war and pandemics. They wanted to have some fun and so music, dancing, fashion, and sport were widely enjoyed.
The roaring 20s was a decade of economic growth and widespread prosperity, a boom in construction, and the rapid growth of consumer goods such as cars and electrical appliances. Radio took off as the most popular form of entertainment.
Many churches experienced great growth and revivals during the Roaring 20s. The Pentecostal movement continued to grow and spread with people desiring the power of God and a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Evangelical fervour was its height during the 1920s.
The Roaring 20s weren’t without challenge ~ rise of communism & fascism, and they ended with the Great Depression.
In the midst of every challenge we hold fast to courageous Hope, the truth that Jesus will get us through to the other side.
*Q. What are you facing at the moment? *
Stay strong in courageous hope. God will bring you through to the other side!
Even if the situation cannot change, in Jesus we have the promise of getting to the other side.
Rev. 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” You’ve made it, to the other side!
Discussion Questions
Read Romans 8:24-26. What do these verses tell us about the nature of hope? What is the role of the Holy Spirit while we’re waiting for God to bring us through to the other side?
Mark 4:35 beautifully illustrates hope, “That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” But, when the storm struck, the disciples forgot the words of Jesus and panicked. Can you relate to this? Share a time with your group when you looked at the storm and forgot the words of Jesus? What happened? How did Jesus bring you “to the other side?” What did you learn from this?
Discuss this statement, “Listening to and obeying God’s Word brought the Christians through the storm and to the other side!”
How does the following statement encourage you? “Pandemics have come and gone throughout human history. There have been numerous pandemics since Jesus’ birthed his church. While all of these viruses have caused great sickness, death, and heartache, the Church of Jesus Christ is still strong. It’s alive and well. God brings us TO THE OTHER SIDE.”
The roaring twenties followed the Spanish Flu pandemic. What are some of your hopes and dreams for the 2020s?
The church changed considerably in the 1920s. How do you think the church might change as a result of the COVID crisis?
If you’re facing difficulties because of COVID-19 or the current lockdown, why not share this with the group and ask for prayer? Is there someone in your group that has a need that you, or the entire group, could help with?