Thoughts from today's post have been gleaned from Bob Deffinbaugh's sermon Jerusalem in the Last Days.
Note the contrast between what Jesus notices while at the temple and what the disciples notice.
Jesus notices the beauty of the poor widow who is generously giving out of her poverty.
The disciples notice the beauty of the temple.
And Jesus quickly points out that they are valuing the wrong thing - they are valuing something that is only temporal. Jesus values those things which make an impact for eternity.
Much to the disciples dismay, Jesus prophecies the destruction of Jerusalem and the beautiful temple. The disciples are, of course, curious to know exactly when this is going to happen. Aren't we all the same way? We want the details!
But Jesus does not answer them they way they want Him to. He doesn't give an exact date. He tells them what some of the signs will be before both the destruction of Jerusalem and before the second coming. The prophecies are intertwined amongst each other.
But Jesus' focus is not on the events themselves, His focus is on how Christians are to conduct themselves in the meantime.
He tells us that there will be false messiah's and warns us not to be deceived. False messiah's promise good times instead of the Good News, and they are very tempting to follow - but we must cling to the Truth.
He also tells us that hard times will come, persecution is certain - but encourages us not to be frightened into silence but rather seize the opportunity to be a light in the darkness. Though physical lives of the faithful may be lost (just like the temple), their eternal lives are secure.
He also reminds us not to rely on temporal things (like the temple or the city of Jerusalem) for safety and security. He promises that He will come again, this time in power and glory, to redeem us forever!
Our trust needs to be in Him alone and our focus needs to be on eternity.
Tomorrow's passage: Mark 13:32-37, Matthew 24:36-25:46, Luke 21:34-38
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