All but one will be shaken

Mark 13:1-13

¹ As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

² “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “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 opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

⁵ Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁶ Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁸ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹ “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. ¹¹ Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

¹² “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ¹³ Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

The disciples were impressed. The temple must have been wonderful for them – massive, beautiful, immovable. Even by today’s standards, the stones used in Herod’s temple are gargantuan. But Jesus saw through it all. “Not one stone will be left on another,” he says.

Jesus wasn’t just making a point about architecture. He was revealing something deeper: the things I think are permanent—impressive, secure, untouchable – are not. Earthly structures fall. Civilisations shake. Even families can fracture.

Jesus doesn’t give his followers a roadmap to avoid suffering. He gives them a reason to endure it.

Deception will come. Conflict will rage. Persecution will rise. People will fall away. Jesus says, “Do not be alarmed… stand firm.” These are not signs that God has lost control, but that his plan is still unfolding.

There is a strange comfort in knowing that Jesus never promised ease—only that he would be with us in the storm. He speaks of betrayal, hatred, and loss, but also of purpose. “On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses… the gospel must first be preached.”

This is a hard teaching. But it lifts my eyes.

When everything shakes, I remember: my calling is not comfort, but faithfulness. Not winning every battle, but standing firm to the end.

And in the chaos, I’m not alone. The Holy Spirit will speak. God will not leave me to face trial empty-handed.

Lord Jesus, help me not to be taken up with that which will pass away. In a world of upheaval and distraction, quicken me to your truth. Teach me to stand firm in the chaos. Strengthen me to bear witness to you, the everlasting one, my Saviour and Lord. Let your Spirit speak through me and hold me fast to the end. Amen.

Written by Andrew Mellor