Holy Week – Tuesday

Total Reading:  Matthew 21:20-22, 24:1-14; Mark 11:20-26, 13:1-27; Luke 21:5-28; John 12:20-36

Readings Explained:
Matthew 21:20-22; Mark 11:20-26 = Fig Tree Withered
John 12:20-36 = The Greeks Seek Jesus
Matthew 24:1-14; Mark 13:1-27; Luke 21:5-28 = End Times Predictions

Some extra explanations:
Jesus prophesied that the temple would be leveled.  This temple that Jesus and His disciples were discussing was Solomon’s Temple.  It had been rebuilt by Herod the Great who began the project in 19 BC, prior to the birth of Christ.  It was built using some of the greatest marble and gold ornamentation found in the Middle East.  Some of the stones used were five meters long and over one meter high.

The prophecy Jesus told His disciples that the temple would be destroyed actually happened when the Roman prince Titus, (in the Roman war of AD 67-70), demolished the temple.  In about AD 135, the emperor Hadrian completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem and built a new city on its foundations.

Some Thoughts:
Jesus is expressing His heart to His disciples these last few days that He had left with them.  He wanted them to be strong.  He wasn’t telling them these things to frighten them (or us) into following Him, or to live in fear or dread.  He said: “Don’t panic or give in to your fears…Hold your hope firmly to the end and you will experience life and deliverance… Beware that you’re not fooled…Be on your guard…Determine to be faithful to the end and you will be saved… Don’t worry.  My grace will never desert you or depart from your life.  Stand firm with patient endurance and you will find your souls’ deliverance.”  (Matthew 24:6,13; Mark 13:5-6,13; Luke 21:9, 18 TPT)

Can’t you hear Jesus’ heartfelt love and concern in these words to His beloved disciples?  He speaks the same words to us today.

Prayer:
Lord, how easy it is to become distracted by “doomsday scrolling” and the news of wars, violence, pain, and misery.  We can live in fear and dread and panic.  YET, turning our eyes to You, we hear You say, “Trust in me.  I know what’s going on. My grace will never desert or leave.  Stand firm.  Continue to reflect MY love and light in the darkness.  Darkness CAN NOT squelch even the faintest light.”  Thank You, Lord, for the compassion that led You to share these timeless words of encouragement and counsel to Your disciples.  They continue to ring true for us!

 

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