This passage is powerful! Jesus is speaking to us about the future. What is the over arching theme here? Be ready.
People for centuries have been trying to predict when Jesus is going to return. Even recently, I’ve seen groups making T-shirts, people selling all their possessions, and many other crazy things. I was a viral movement. What does Jesus tell us here? That even he, the Son of God, doesn’t know the time or date. We shouldn’t be focused or blinded by such thoughts.
Jesus cautions us to be careful. He tells us what to look for. He tells us we must be ready and persevere through all the trials and testing. What did you think of these words, “[A]nd everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Do you yearn for approval? Do you hold back from sharing your faith to avoid ridicule. I must have lived a pretty sheltered life because I don’t feel like I have been persecuted for my faith. I may have heard snickers, or not been welcome in certain groups because I was a “Bible thumper”, but would I would have really wanted in those groups anyway? At the time I may have thought I was missing out on some cool people. On the other hand maybe thinking I was missing out on an opportunity to shepherd people back into the family of God.
We need to put that all aside. There is only one relationship that truly matters, both here on earth and for eternity. If we are to think of the story of the man on a long trip, we need to be vigilant in getting our work done and be ever watchful for our master’s return. If you are like me, you are wishing for that day, wanting to be ready and making sure all my loved ones are waiting and watching, too.
Let’s pray. Father God, I left my children to you and pray protection mercies on their lives. I pray that you will nudge them each in your own way so that they mourn the loss of a relationship with you. I pray they will recognize this emptiness for what it is. I am thankful that you hold each of us in you arms. May I stand strong as I wait and watch for you. Help me not get caught up in all the apocalyptic talk for I know that we are not to know or be able to know when your time is at hand. Help me in gathering your people. If not my own children, I pray you send other angels to bring their perspective back to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jesus continues to teach and interestingly he poses a question to himself about himself. The people are on the edge of their seats. They have been waiting for the Messiah. So how can Jesus, the Messiah, be both the son of David and the “lord” of David? Think of this – Jesus is both God and man. So as a man, he is the son of David, that is a relative or descendant. But he is also God and therefore lord of David.
Love is the essence of Christian living. Jesus proclaims it himself herein today’s reading. Love God. Love your neighbor. Period.
Resurrection. It’s a term we hear in the church as it relates to Jesus. He was dead, and then he was not – he was resurrected, raised from the dead. Jesus has been preparing his disciples for this phenomenon, yet they don’t understand.
Today’s reading is question number 2 in a series of 4. You may recall the leaders and teachers of the law tried to trap Jesus in a previous passage when it came to authority. Jesus quickly turned that around. Now they send others to pose question number two. We see supporters of Herod here, so possibly government officials.
