Tuesday

Wisdom for the Ages

In Matthew chapters 21-25, Jesus verbally fences with the Pharisees and Sadducees, the clerical leaders of Israel. He repeatedly slashes them with His statements and parables, seeming to throw all caution to the wind, not caring whether He enrages the leaders, which He certainly does. At the same time, He provides His disciples with a wealth of wisdom. His purpose, on the brink of His tragic death, is again to send messages to His followers-to-be that will resound down the corridors of future time.

Three points stand out here:

  ● Jesus describes poignantly how desperately He wanted to “gather [Jerusalem’s] children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling.” Thus, He suggests in not so many words that His desire, and God’s will, was that the Israelites were to have gathered to Him, not hated Him, rejected Him, and killed Him.

  ● He makes a couple of startling, mysterious, usually overlooked points about the signs of Christ’s return. These “mystery” verses amount to Jesus saying that Christ will come in a way that will dash expectations, that is, He’ll come not in a supernatural way (“on the [literal] clouds of heaven”). He says:

      ♦ “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation” (Luke 17:25), suggesting that Christ at His Second Coming will be born as a man on the earth—otherwise, how could He “suffer … and be rejected”?

      ♦ “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). Similarly, if Christ comes supernaturally, in the sky, even atheists would suddenly become faithful. So this suggests He will be born on the earth, as with the First Coming, and encounter faithlessness, as did Jesus.

  ● Jesus warns his followers above all to conduct themselves with integrity and love until the time of Christ’s return. He does this through the parables of the faithful and sensible slave (Matthew 24:45-51), the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), noting that people’s behavior, and their heart behind it, determines their salvation.

Of salvation, He also says that “the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13), indicating that salvation is not cheap and easy (as by just professing a certain theological belief or performing certain rituals) but must be earned through dogged endurance on the path of Jesus, which is the way of sacrifice, service, and love.

How This Helps Us Have a Real Relationship With the Real Jesus

When we connect with the core and spirit of Jesus’ preaching, we discover whole new vistas of personal spiritual growth. 

We become inspired as to how we can grow in love, and especially how we can prepare ourselves for the imminent Second Coming of Christ.

Spiritual Exercises

●   Reflect on areas of your life where you can grow in love and prepare for the Second Coming. Spend time meditating on Jesus’ teachings about love, forgiveness, and compassion. Identify specific areas in your life where you can grow in these areas. This might involve forgiving someone you are holding a grudge against, practicing greater patience with others, or speaking more kindly to those around you.

●   Prepare yourself for the Second Coming of Christ through prayer, study, and service. Spend time each day in prayer, asking God to help you prepare for the Second Coming, which (if Jesus is to be believed) will take place through a man born on earth in an unassuming and unexpected way. This could involve reading the Bible, meditating on Jesus’ teachings, or searching for signs of the Returning Lord’s identity, just as Simeon and Anna, led by the Holy Spirit, found and adored Jesus when His parents presented him in the Jerusalem Temple. Additionally, seek out opportunities to serve others and to build God’s Kingdom on earth.

●   Try to participate in building a community of faith that is prepared for the Second Coming. Connect with other Christians who share your commitment to growing in love and preparing for the Returning Lord and His Bride. This could involve joining a small group, attending a Bible study, or volunteering at a church or other religious organization. Work together to support one another in your spiritual journeys and to build a community that is ready for the return of Christ.