What if following Jesus isn’t about becoming a better version of our old selves, but living out an entirely new identity? In Romans 6, Paul reminds us that through our union with Christ, our old life has been crucified and we’ve been raised to walk in newness of life. We’re not defined by sin’s old story or motivated by its old masters. We belong to Jesus, and that changes how we live.

The big idea: We live out our new identity in Christ through a new story and a new motivation.

Trying hard

Mark 13 can get pretty complicated. Is Jesus talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, His second coming, or both? Good Bible-believing Christians have landed in different places, and I’m not particularly interested in pretending I’ve got every detail figured out.

But I do think Jesus makes the point pretty clear: stay awake. Stay alert. Be ready.

The question isn’t ultimately whether we can build the perfect end-times timeline. It’s whether the reality that Jesus could return at any moment actually changes how we live today. How we spend our time. How we prioritize our energy. How we treat people. Who needs to hear the gospel. What moves to the top of the list—and what can move down.

Jesus says, “I say to all: Be on the alert.” So this week, we’re talking about spiritual fast feet: staying ready so we don’t have to get ready. Because whenever Jesus comes back, we want to already be living like we’re ready for Him.