Matthew 24:1-14
Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” The disciples asked Jesus three questions: …when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? (v. 3b) Today He is answering the third question, the “end of the age”. In our next two readings He will answer the first two questions.
As I read through Jesus’ description of the end times, I was struck that He might be speaking directly to and about His disciples – tribulation, death, being hated, falling away, betrayal, false prophets… Then I came to the end of the last verse: …and then the end will come. (v. 14b) After all that, all the way to “the end”! So we all still have that to look forward to. Not a happy thought!!
One other item of note is Jesus’ humanity: As he sat on the Mount of Olives… (v. 3a) Not a big deal, but notice – Jesus has been at the temple teaching and preaching (v. 1 and chapter 23). Now He is headed west, maybe to Bethany for the evening, possibly to the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. On the way there He passes down into and through the Kidron Valley and climbs up the Mount of Olives – then just sits there for a while looking down at Jerusalem and the temple. A perfectly normal thing to do… And His disciples ask Him questions – privately. Take a break, sit down, chat. Perfectly normal…!
Slava Bohu!