Mark 13:9-13 - Counting the Cost

We’re diving into Mark 13:9-13, where Jesus lays out the real cost of following Him. In these verses, He warns His disciples of betrayal, persecution, and hatred for His name’s sake—challenges that echo through history and into today. Yet, amidst the suffering, we find encouragement: the Spirit empowers, the Gospel advances, and those who endure will be saved. Join me as we unpack this sobering yet hope-filled call to count the cost and anchor our hope in Christ alone. Let’s dig in and look to Jesus, our true hope!

Transcript

91 - Mark 13:9-13 - Counting the Cost

Intro

• If you have your Bibles please turn with me to Mark 13 and find verse 9.
  • Today we step back into the Gospel of Mark and continue working through the prophetic words of Jesus found in Mark 13.
• As you find our verses I want to share a few verses with you from the Gospel of Luke…
  • In Luke 14 we are told that a great crowd had gathered around Christ.
    • Looking at the crowd He did what many fail to do today, He urged them to really consider whether or not He is worth what it will cost them to follow Him.
    • He said things like…
      • Luke 14:26 - “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brother and sister, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
    • And that was not all, He also said…
      • Luke 14:27 - “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
        • The cross was a tool of torment, it represented intense suffering and death and was only reserved for the worst of criminals.
      • This is not the best recruiting to get people to sign up!
    • These are harsh words to speak to potential followers but Jesus did not pull any punches.
  • He urged the crowd that was chasing after Him to really consider whether or not they should commit their lives to Him.
    • In verse 28 Jesus gives us this illustration…
      • Luke 14:28 - “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
    • He is urging them to not be half hearted in their pursuit but to really count the cost and see if following Him was worth it.
  • This is important for us even to consider today as we step into verses that deal with the last days.
• In our verses that we are going to be looking at today we will be reminded of this cost that followers of Christ may face in this world.
  • Not only is it a cost that we may face but it is a cost that countless believers who have gone before us have faced.
    • From the Apostles to the Reformers to the Persecuted church across the world today many have suffered for the sake of Christ.
  • However, it is important that even in suffering we keep in mind that the Lord continues to build His church and continues to grant success of the Gospel throughout the nations.
• In our text we will see these two truths side by side although our time today will be focusing on…
  • The Cost of Following Jesus…
• And we will look again at this text next week and we will see
  • The Promised Success of the Gospel…
• Let us read our text and begin.  

Mark 13:9-13

• Keep in mind as we read these verses that Jesus is in the final week of His life and ministry.
  • Also keep in mind that this teaching moment began by Jesus revealing to His apostles that the Temple would be completely destroyed.
    • This would be a form of the judgment of God falling upon the nation of Israel.
  • In the apostles hearing this, four of them approached Him and asked…
    • “...when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
      • Though asking about the Temple’s destruction they were also asking about the judgment that is yet to come upon the world. 
    • The majority of this chapter is Jesus’ response to this question.
  • Which includes the verses that we just read together.
• I have to say that in reading these five verses they really are a strange mix.
  • We have a warning from Christ but we also see great encouragement from our Lord.
  • Consider His words again…
    • In verse 9 He urges His apostles to be on guard…
      • Literally meaning to “look out”.
      • Telling them plainly that they will be handed over to councils, beaten in synagogues, that they will stand before rulers…
    • In verse 12 He picks up this warning…
      • Telling them that brother will betray brother and a father will do the same to his child.
        • That the closest of family relationships will be splintered.
      • Then He sums it up by saying in verse 13…
        • “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake…”
  • Those are rough verses and a difficult message, but even as we examine them today we must realize that they do not stand alone…
    • Instead we find scattered throughout these warnings great words of encouragement.
      • We learn about the success of the Gospel in verse 10…
      • We learn about the Hope and the power of the Spirit…
        • How He will enable people to speak words of wisdom that they had not previously prepared.  
      • We are told at the end of verse 13, after we learn of how hated we will be, that those who endure will be saved.  
    • This contrasting picture certainly does make these verses difficult to work through.
  • Although I would prefer to cover this passage in a single service, it will be more beneficial for us to study it over two weeks.
• So today let us jump in and be reminded of…

The Cost of Following Jesus

• It is true that Jesus is speaking here about the last days and the suffering that will come upon believers.
  • However, it is important to consider that throughout these last two millennia much suffering has fallen upon faithful followers of Christ.  
  • So even though Jesus is speaking about what to expect in the last days we must consider that at the same time in these verses…
• We see a good reminder of the cost of following Jesus.
  • It is here, Church, that we need to be reminded of a few things about being a Christian and where our true hope is found.
  • Now before we take a look at what Jesus is telling us in these verses let me share with you that this is a consistent message across the Bible.
    • Suffering for the sake of righteousness is not a new thing…
      • In Genesis 4 we find the story of two brothers, Cain and Abel.
        • Both bring an offering to God, Cain brings some crops of the ground whereas Abel brings the best of his flock.
        • What we are told is that the Lord had regard for Abel’s offering but not for Cain’s.
        • Though Cain and Abel are not at odds with one another Cain views the solution to his problem as the death of the righteous, he kills his brother.
      • This first story is one that is consistent throughout the Bible, the world time and again stands opposed to the people of God.
        • To act as though that is not the case is to pervert the very Gospel itself.
        • Jesus told His followers in John 15:20…
          • John 15:20a - “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…”
        • History shows this to be true for those first followers of Jesus.
      • James the brother of John was the first of the 12 to be killed by the sword.
        • His death is the only one recorded in the Bible and we must look to church history to see the rest.
        • What we find though is that all of the apostles, except John, were killed for the sake of Christ.  
        • However, it is not just the apostles that suffered in this way.
      • If we were to continue considering church history even down through the time in which we live…
        • We would find countless examples of Christians suffering at the hand of men for the Name of Jesus.
    • The point in considering these things for us today is twofold…
      • It is so that we understand the cost of following Jesus…
      • And we understand that that cost has not changed…
    • More than that in view of our verses we find that it will get worse as the end draws near. 
      • Please hear though, just because we are found in the middle of prophecy does not mean that we should expect any less opposition even today.  
  • As we consider the cost of following Christ, let us turn our attention back to Mark and see where our hope is not found.
    • What I mean is that for the believer, for the one who has placed their faith in Christ, we know that our hope does not rest in this world.
    • These verses remind us of that truth in two very important ways. 
• First, our hope does not rest in the authority of man.
  • Look again with me at verse 9 and the first part of verse 11…
    • Vs. 9, 11a
  • Consider what we have represented in verse 9, consider the groups mentioned…
    • We have councils listed…
      • In the Greek this word simply means city rulers or local rulers, however in the Jewish context it points us to the Sanhedrin.
        • Which was the ruling council for the Jewish nation.
      • It was this council that handed Jesus over to death.
    • We have synagogues listed…
      • These were places where the Jews would gather for the reading of the Old Testament and where they would hear scripture taught.
      • Jesus made a regular practice of attending a synagogue and often was found teaching there.
    • We have governors and kings listed…
      • Governor points to a person who rules or commands.
        • In Jesus’ time and region this was Pontius Pilate which is why Jesus stood before him and was sentenced by him.  
      • Kings represent the sovereign ruler of a kingdom, someone who would have the final word in a matter.
        • Again, looking at the time of Christ it would have been the Roman Emperor.
        • This would have been a man known as Caesar.
          • Which is why Paul appeals to Caesar in the book of Acts.
          • He appeals to the highest governmental authority of his time.  
    • Though we are dealing with very different spheres of influence with these terms all of them in one way or another represent the authority of man.
      • Though we do not have kings in our country today there are still systems in place that represent such authority.  
  • Therefore it is important we keep in mind that our hope does not rest in any system of government or established religion that has any sort of authority.
    • To say it a bit differently but to make our point clearly…
      • The government, no matter how aligned with scripture it can become, offers no real hope for man.
      • Furthermore, any established church or religion, though possibly sharing the message of hope, does not in of itself offer hope to man.
    • The best that these systems of authority can offer us is hope in this life but what use is that to us in view of eternity?
      • It is temporary and will not last.  
  • What we need to realize is that the government or an established religion does not offer lasting hope.  
    • Any system of authority that exists in our world can be corrupted and can stand against true followers of Christ.
      • Not only does scripture testify about this but history makes it abundantly clear…
        • As both government and religion has stood against followers of Christ again and again.
    • We need look no farther than the Roman government during the days of the Apostles.
      • Nearly all of them killed for the sake of Christ, killed at the hands of their government.
      • It was not just then, but since the early days of the church persecution has not ceased, and will not cease before our Lord’s return.
        • We could look to church history and see countless martyrs who were killed at the hand of their government.
        • Killed because they would not renounce Christ and bow to another as Lord.   
    • This not only happens at the authority of the government, there have been many reformers killed by the Catholic Church over their stance regarding Biblical Authority.
      • People like William Tyndale, a man who believed the true authority was not found in an established church but rather the Word of God.
      • He died at the hands of the church for translating scripture into the language of the people.
        • He was condemned to die because he tried to make the Bible accessible to common man.
        • Labeled a heretic because of his work.
      • Once speaking to a Catholic priest he is quoted in saying this…
        • “In the name of God, I defy the Pope and all his laws: and ... if God spare my life, ere many years I will cause the boy that drives the plough to know more of God’s law than either you or the Pope.” - William Tyndale 
      • His commitment to scriptural authority…
        • And rejection of the authority of man,
        • And His work that derived from these things cost him his life.
      • He was burned at the stake in 1536 although his work was carried forward by others.
    • We must remember brothers and sisters that our hope does not rest in the authority of man.  
    • However, let us not overcorrect on this matter…
  • This is not to say that there does not exist a need for the government or that the establishment of a religious system is out of place.
    • God has established government for the good of man, and established religion certainly has its place.
    • There are two different places in scripture that come to mind where we can see this…
      • In Romans 13 Paul writes to us…
        • Romans 13:1 - “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
          • He wrote these words as one who died at the hand of his government.
        • It is not that the government does not have its place but it is that the government does not stand in place of God.
        • Again, it offers us no lasting hope.  
      • Then I think of Acts 15 where we find the church gathering at Jerusalem for what has become known as the Jerusalem Council.
        • It was an orderly gathering of believers to clearly define doctrine.
        • It reminds me of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14…
          • 1 Corinthians 14:40 - “But all things should be done decently and in order.”
        • There is a time and place for established religion and we should be thankful for it.
      • However it is important to remember that even the most orderly of religions cannot save but it is by faith in Christ alone.
    • Neither the most righteous government or the most correct of religions has in of itself the hope of man.
      • We would do well to possess the attitude of Psalmist on this matter.
        • Psalm 118:8 - “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”
      • Our hope is not in what we can build, our hope is not in what we can establish, it is not in this world.
    • This is what we must remember…
      • Our hope is not found here, and if our hope rests in a system that is founded upon the authority of man then we will be disappointed.
  • Striking a balance is challenging: we live and exist within these systems, yet our hope must rest not in them but in God.
    • We can be thankful that our government, by and large throughout its existence, has not stood against Christianity.
      • Yet our country and its government cannot and should not be where our hope is founded.
    • With that we must also realize that a day will come where it will be corrupted to the point of oppressing and ultimately persecuting Christians.
      • To believe anything else besides that is to make light of the words of Christ on this matter.  
  • However, take heart and be encouraged by what our Lord said to His apostles in John 16.
    • John 16:33 - “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
    • Our hope is not found in this world and what it offers but rather in the One who overcomes the world and has called us to Himself.  
  • I would ask you to turn your attention back to Mark 13 and find verse 12 as we continue talking about the cost of following Jesus.
    • Not only does our hope not rest in the authority of man…
• Second, our hope does not rest in the affection of man.
  • Jesus makes this abundantly clear in verse 12 and the first part of verse 13, look with me.
    • Vs. 12-13a
  • Jesus takes aim at the closest of relations…
    • Brother turning against brother…
      • Parents handing over their children…
      • He does this to make it clear that even the closest of relations will fall short of providing real hope.
      • It is a bit ironic that the apostles that started this conversation were two sets of brothers.
      • So you have to know that when Jesus is speaking these words, it is hitting very close to home.
    • What we find is that Christianity can result in even the closest of relations being divided against one another. 
    • Paul points out to us the offense of the cross in 1 Corinthians…
      • 1 Corinthians 1:18a - “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing…”
        • In other words those outside of Christ, those who are not Christians look upon the cross and see foolishness.
        • Brothers and sisters if they look upon the cross as such then we should not expect them to look at us with any less criticism. 
        • Then Paul continues later down in verse 23…
      • 1 Corinthians 1:23b - “...we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,”
        • Again, those who are perishing and hear the message of the Gospel and the hope found in the suffering savior are often offended by such a message.
    • This does not change if it is our own kin that are outside of the hope of Christ.
  • This again serves as a reminder to us that we do not hope in family relations but our hope exists in another.
    • To see this clearly…
  • Let us turn our attention now to the final statement that Jesus made at the end of verse 13 as we consider that…
• Our Hope is Founded upon what Christ has Promised.
  • Read verse 13 again as we consider this final point…
    • Vs. 13
  • He that endures to the end, will be saved…
    • This is not teaching a works based salvation, it is not teaching that what begins by faith is completed by works.
    • What this is telling us, is that by our response to these things we can find the genuineness of our salvation.
      • What I mean is that when we withstand suffering because we refuse to bow to hope in the authority of man…
      • And as we refuse to denounce Christ even as close family opposes us…
    • We find that Christ really has done a work in us that will endure throughout eternity.
  • It is a reminder that what Christ has saved He has saved indeed…
    • Not by my own hands, not by my own commitment to Him but by the work of His cross am I secure.
    • Once more we can look to those who have suffered for the sake of Christ and we find a rock solid unshakable faith that truly transcends what we would expect.
    • When men stand alone opposed and rejected and praise Christ in spite of it we know that something greater man is at work in them.
  • I cannot help but consider Stephen, the first Christian martyr who perished at the hands of men.  
    • Faithful to Christ to the end, even in his final breath praying for those who cast the stones upon him.
    • His example became one that was repeated countless times throughout church history.
      • Some singing at the fire, others preaching or praying until their dying breath.
      • Men and women of faith unshaken because of the One who holds them in His hand.
    • The author of Hebrews writes of these in Hebrews 11…
      • Hebrews 11:37-38a - “37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy…”
    • The reason they can withstand such suffering, the reason why we need not fear it, is because our Hope rests in One outside of this world.
  • We are simply passing through…
    • We know that any suffering we face at the hands of men this side of glory will not be worth comparing to Christ we will one day see.  
    • It is not that we seek out suffering or persecution but it is that we have no reason to fear it.
      • For what can man do to us if we have already been redeemed for eternity? 

Closing

• It is here we will close out our time together today and it is here I want to share two ways we can respond to our verses today…
  • First, to the followers of Christ…
    • Be encouraged that the Christ that died for you has redeemed you for eternity.
    • Be encouraged that your hope does not rest in the broken systems of this world but it rests in the Risen Savior.
  • Then, to those who are outside of Christ…
    • I urge you to count the cost…
      • Truly following Christ in this life could result in intense pain and suffering.
      • Your family may reject you, your government may persecute you, you may die at the hands of men.
    • However, if you are found in Him then you have a Savior that is worth losing all that for.
      • He is worth it all…
      • If He is drawing you then I urge you to place your faith in Him and be saved.  
• Let’s pray.