On the Mount of Olives

On the Mount of Olives

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, (13:3)

The longest chapter in Mark’s gospel is chapter 4 and the second longest being chapter 13. The central theme of chapter 13 is the end of the world while the main theme of chapter 4 is the parables on land and seed. The end of the world is the most important teaching in Christianity. Christian faith is basically eschatological. Thinking of salvation it is learnt that we have not been completely saved yet. In other words, complete salvation has not come yet. As it had been, we still continue to have sickness and suffering and finally we die. Salvation and eternal life are of the domain of the end of time and not of the present time. Church is also an eschatological community of the Messiah. It means that the completion of everything absolutely depends on the end of time.

The end means the last. However, Christians say it is a new beginning. It is the end where the present life style comes to an end and a totally different life begins. I say it again that the end is not only the last but has a direct connection with the beginning.

To some people this statement sounds unacceptable. They think the life we enjoy now is everything. They regard eschatology as self-consolation which is derived from the fear of death. In fact, it is not so. Eschatology of Christianity is not a dualistic world view to pursue another world by denying this world. It is just the opposite. Eschatology is a unique world view to see the ultimate root of life at the end point of view which makes reality of this world possible. If someone is called Christian then he/she should not lose the question about eschatology.

Jesus’ disciples began to ask Jesus who was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple from where he could see the temple. Let us enter into that question like them.