2012 - Just Another Year. Mark 13:1-8

According to Mark's story, Jesus spoke the words of the "Little Apocalypse" on the Tuesday before the crucifixion. But the early Christians did not read the words of Mark's gospel until after the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed. So, Jesus' prophetic words were not dealing with the fears of what was to come, but with the realities of what had already happened. The nightmare had come to pass and Jerusalem lay in ruins. But the story of Jesus' words uttered during the last few days of his life gave hope to people of all generations. When the temples and institutions of religion and government fall, there is no need to give up hope. The One who has existed from the beginning of time remains with us, and will be with us when our end time comes. Christians who read the gospels in the early centuries of the church knew all about fear and persecution and death; it was part of life and faith for them. They believed that it was possible to die with words of faith on their lips. The temple had been destroyed, but the church had survived, and continues, to this day.
With the opening of the film "2012" today, folks are chatting about the end of time. I have asked my students what they are hearing,and they all know some story of the end associated with the year 2012. Most of the hoopla began with the realization that the Mayan Long Count Calendar of 5,126 days turns over and nothing is listed following that time. Though it does not sell books and movie tickets to say it, the end of the Mayan calendar means that another cycle of time then begins. In America, at least, people prefer to be kept on edge, especially during the tough economic times that we are experiencing. So, pundits come forth will all manner of doomsday scenarios and folks line up to have their wits scared out of them. In addition to the 2012 phenomenon, the story persists of a giant asteroid that is hurtling towards earth and will hit us by 2016. If one takes the time to research this matter, one will find that the asteroid has a 1 in 43,000 chance of hitting the earth. The truth does not sell, so the fables arise in its place.
Mark's scary chapter 13 is actually a balm for nervous folks. Jesus warns his followers that there will always be those who claim that they know when the end will be. His advice? Don't listen to them. Keep faith in God, in good times and in bad, and the truth will not only set us free, but will carry us through to our end, and beyond. 2012 will be just another year, another artificial time period created by humankind to measure events. 2012 will provide opportunities to love and serve others, just as every year does. So, don't be rattled by the hype. Instead, be comforted, strengthened and inspired by the truth. And give thanks to God for another year of life.