Matthew 24:1-28 - End of the Temple

< Previous | Index | Next >

Jesus becomes more specific in Matthew 24:1-28. The disciples are impressed by the massive and fine stonework but he speaks clearly to them about the coming destruction of the Temple. And he speaks about the problems and difficulties they will face before the time arrives. He says there will be persecution and even death, and that many will turn from the truth, and that love will grow cold because of the growth of wickedness.

It's likely that Jesus is speaking here of the destruction of the Temple by the Roman General Titus in 70 AD and also perhaps about an end time that is still to come. Does he say things that resonate with you in terms of our own times?

Jesus wants us to stand firm, he warns us about false prophets. He tells us that when he comes it will be clear enough (like lightning illuminating up the entire sky from east to west). Rumourmongers are like vultures, gathering round times of difficulty like vultures around a dead animal. Don't believe them!

Through all of these hard times, where does our duty lie? We are called to love one another and to help the weak and the impoverished and the suffering. We are to be undeceived and not alarmed. We are to share the good news of the kingdom as widely as we can.

The disciples were impressed by the massive and lavish Temple buildings, but it's not about technology or wealth - either then or in our own day. It's about truth and love and following the Son, bringing glory to the Father, and understanding the signs of the times.

< Previous | Index | Next >

Matthew 16:13-28 - The Son of Man must die

< Previous | Index | Next >

Jesus must die, and if we are to be like him we must be willing to die too.

Read Matthew 16:13-28 and notice that people had various ideas about who Jesus really was, though they agreed that he was a prophet and somebody noteworthy. We tend to see what we are looking for so we have to ask ourselves, "What (or who) are we looking for?"

To answer as Peter did we must hear the truth from the Father himself; it must be revealed. Nobody is going to understand Jesus by mental agility and prowess but only as a gift from above. And it's on this bedrock of revelation that Jesus says he will build his church.

But if Peter felt proud to have received such a revelation, he was soon brought bumping back to the ground by hearing himself called a stumbling block placed in the way by the evil one.

Can we see ourselves in and through these verses? We should! Are we going to have the concerns of the Almighty Father in mind? Or will we be fully absorbed by our own concerns? Will we want to save our life but lose it? Or will we lose our life for Jesus? This is not necessarily about physical death. We all face that anyway. This is truly about giving up what we hold dear, picking up our cross and following Jesus.

There's a combination here of revelation and obedience. We need both. Jesus offers us both.

< Previous | Index | Next >