Slices
Prepare
Our physical posture both reflects and affects our mental and emotional state. If you can, roll your shoulders back, raise your head and lift your eyes towards heaven as you ask God to speak to you today.
Bible passage
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
29 He told them this parable: ‘Look at the fig-tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 ‘Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 ‘Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.’
37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Explore
This is a continuation of yesterday’s passage, with Jesus warning his hearers of all the terrors that would come before this world passes away. Unfortunately, believers through the ages have often been more concerned with interpreting the signs than with responding in the way Jesus told us to. Each new war, each new totalitarian regime, each new natural disaster sparks fraught debate about whether or not we are in the end times.
Jesus gives us three things we should do in the light of these warnings. First, he gives us the attitude with which believers should face the future: standing tall, with our heads held high, in confident assurance of our redemption (v 28). Second, we must be careful not to get too wrapped up in either the anxieties or the pleasures of this world (v 34). And finally, we are to watch and pray, so we are ready when the time comes (v 36).
Jesus did not try to pretend that we will never suffer, but he assured us that as children of God we need not live in fear, for our future is secure.
Respond
Ask the Lord to fill you with this confident hope in him. It may not happen in a moment, but trust him to strengthen you more each day as you fix your eyes on him.
Deeper Bible study
‘Lo! He comes with clouds descending’.1
After predicting the destruction of the Temple, Jesus continued his conversation with the disciples by shifting the focus to his second coming. It is important in this discourse to note two warnings given by Jesus. The first involves a warning to be on guard so that we are not overcome with drunken revelry and concerns of this life. The second warning is to be alert and pray at all times. Only by heeding these warnings will we be prepared for the day of Christ’s coming and not be caught unawares (vs 34,36). Instead of addressing when the destruction of the Temple and his coming would take place, Jesus drew the attention of the disciples to their own readiness.
The recent Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in increased interest in end-times prophecies in some Christian circles, with some trying to predict when the second coming of Jesus might take place. Our reading today reminds us that we should not be speculating when the end of time might come. What is central to the teaching of Jesus is for us to keep watch and be ready at all times. We should live our lives in the light of his coming again! We should not be like those caught unprepared – as with the flood in Noah’s day and Sodom’s destruction in Abraham’s time.
How can we be watchful today as we patiently wait for Jesus’ second coming? What must you change and what must you do differently, as you live your life in light of Jesus’ coming again?
O Lord, make us watchful and awake as we await your coming, that when you appear you may find us faithful in your service and joyful in hope.
1 Charles Wesley, 1707–88
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 29,30; Psalm 36
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Sports and Faith Hub Coordinator Ruth Anderson. Pray for wisdom and creativity as she sets about the task of inspiring, training and equipping people to lead sports and fitness ministry with the 95 at the local level, as a way of helping children and young people connect with Jesus.
