Red Letter by Larry Perry

Mark 13:14  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

The red letters represent the words spoken by Jesus. Mark has inserted his own comment about what Jesus said. While Mark was trying to tell you the prophecy of Daniel is a key element, what is Mark doing inserting his opinion into the scriptures? He is taking on the role of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus would tell us when those things He was teaching were important by inserting “let him that has ears hear”. It is one thing to share an opinion about scripture in a class setting but to interrupt Jesus while He is speaking is a distraction. I understand the Holy Spirit will often bring to mind things while we are reading our bibles, but He is God and authorized to speak truth to us.

Often times while reading this verse I would stop, go to Daniel’s prophecy and never get back to Mark 13. I had lost the continuity of thought. This is a reminder to me that during our studies together, not to try and take on the role of the Holy Spirit and point away from the current study. What I do in my quiet time is fine but in fellowship with others is another matter.

Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

Who are they? We have to look back to the last chapter to discover who is sending “certain” men to do their bidding. 11:27 identifies them as the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders. This is a very touchy subject. We are to be subject one to another and if we are chosen by church leaders to perform any task, whose bidding are you doing?

When asked to serve, do you take it to the Lord or jump in? When pondering this I was taken back to my military service and remember that it was my duty to execute any lawful order. What constituted a lawful order? First of all, you had to study and understand the military code of conduct. Let me tell you from experience that basic training didn’t cover the whole of the code of conduct. They only covered the basics.

It was up to me to step up and go beyond what was pointed out in basic and study the code for myself. Much in the same way that I had to dedicate myself to serve the military, we should study and understand the commandments above and beyond what teachers and preachers say.

Only by knowing the Word in a personal commitment of relationship will you ever discover if you are doing the Lord’s bidding or executing an illegal order.