Jesus' Foretelling (Matthew 24 - P 61)

After entering Jerusalem at Passover time, we observed Jesus as he engaged in heated exchanges with the religious leaders.  All of that took place in and around the temple.  All of that took place in front of the Passover crowds.  Jesus terminates the interchange with the scathing words of chapter 23.  Jesus now leaves the temple area accompanied by his disciples.  And another interesting and challenging conversation ensues.

Read Matthew 24: 1 - 31

This chapter presents us with major challenges.  Interpretations abound!  Rigorous debates among biblical scholars swirl around this chapter.  The questions of "when", and "how" surface, confuse and challenge us.  Rather than describe the varying interpretations in my space here, I want us to try and focus our attention on what we can know.  

     1.  Some of these verses are about the destruction of Jerusalem that happened in 70 AD.  The siege under Titus, the Roman general, was horrific ... and the descriptions in the writings of Josephus are difficult to read because of the horror described ... the famine, starvation, cannibalism, death, destruction.  Jesus warns the people to flee ... don't stay in the city.  Instead, Josephus tells us that people flocked INTO  Jerusalem when the Roman army approached ... and they were locked up inside.  The military strategy was to starve them out.  And they did.  

Any lessons for you and I?  Remember - God raises countries and governments, and God takes them down.  The size of the temple stones and buildings that so wowed the disciples (24:1) are actually marvels of ancient engineering.  Angle stones from the temple have been found which measure 20 - 40 feet and weigh more than 100 tons.  But man-made things will always fall when it is time.  Be amazed at God ... be awed by Him.

     2.  Some of these verses deal with the "day of the Lord".  There is a new age coming ... future to the disciples and future to us still.  Jesus will return.  He is coming back.  This I know.

Any lessons for you and I?  God is not finished with this old world!  He has a new order already created and planned ... awaiting his perfect timing.  I want to be ready.  Jesus takes that issue up in chapter 25. 

     3.  Some of these verses deal with the persecution that will accompany faith.  Jesus is so wonderfully honest.  He certainly cannot be accused of painting a "rosy" picture for the disciples concerning their lives as followers of him.  And he does not paint a "rosy" one for us either.   

Lessons?  We are foolish when we expect life to be smooth and easy and always healthy and wealthy because we are followers of Christ.  We pray for strength ... for courage ... for perseverance ... for endurance ... for wisdom ... as we navigate life in this fallen, chaotic, messed-up world.  And messed up it is!  

     4.  Some of these verses deal with the issue of timing.  Precisely ... no one knows exactly when these things will occur.  No one.  No one.  In fact, when someone begins to explain why and how they know exactly when the second coming will happen ... I know they are blowing smoke rings.  Because Jesus said ... no one knows.  

Lessons?  I choose to not stress out over the "end of times" debates.  I don't know when it will be.  I just know it will be.  I don't know what it will look like.  I just know it will be.  I don't know the timeline.  I just know it will be.  

Michael J Wilkins wrote:  "Our challenge is not to solve the mysteries of prophecy, but to be faithful in our lifetime."

And that is my prayer for you and I ... Lord, find us faithful today.