February 3, 2014 – Matthew 24 – The Day and the Hour Unknown

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

What Does this Passage Say?

• Jesus is at the Temple and He knows about its coming destruction. In AD 70 the Roman armies went into Jerusalem and destroy the Temple. Our reading is Jesus prediction of this historic event. This comment gets the disciples to think. They heard Jesus and figured that the destruction of the Temple would coincide with Jesus coming kingdom, so they ask.

• Jesus explanation raises more questions than it really answers, at least for us. Is Jesus talking about future end of the world events? Some would say yes. Is Jesus talking about the destruction of Jerusalem under the Romans only? Others would say yes. Is Jesus talking about end of the world events and the destruction of Jerusalem in the same response? Still others would say yes.

• Here is what I can tell you … Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple and it happened. We know that the days that surrounded its destruction where horrible days for the ethnic Jews living in Judaea. We also know that Christians faced immense amounts of persecution during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero in the 60’s. We also know that Jesus Kingdom is here. It is not something we are waiting for and anticipating. We who belong to Jesus are living in the kingdom, a kingdom that was released on the Day of Pentecost. We also know that there will be a day when Jesus returns to call home those who have believed and called Him Lord.

• To answer the questions I think we are safe to say some of these events that Jesus speaks of have happened, some are continuing to happen, and some will happen. 

What is this passage teaching?

• The underlying principle of our reading today is to be ready. In the 1984 edition of the NIV the editors topical notes titles verses 36-51 “The Day and the Hour Unknown.” This is a very appropriate section title. We do not know when our final day on earth is going to be, regardless if it is by our death or it is by Jesus return. We must be ready. For some it is calling Jesus Lord. For others it is walking with Him each and every day. We do not know when the day will come, but Jesus charges us to be like the servant, busy at work, anticipating His return. 

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Are you ready for Jesus to return? Do you have any unfinished business? Would Jesus be proud of you for the task you are involved with when He returns? Fortunately His return has not happened. You have time to get busy.  So get busy, serve Him, walk with Him, and share the love Jesus with all you encounter. 

November 6 – Matthew 24

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 24. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Our reading today had the disciples seeking clarification on a teaching of Jesus after He predicted the destruction of the Temple. This clarification turned into a teaching on the coming days. Now many turn this teaching of Jesus into a discussion on the last days. I am not confident that this is a true discussion on the last days of this earth. O certainly there are elements that point to the last days, but the majority of the conversation points to what will happen to the disciples after the resurrection.

There are several reasons we read into this passage end times discussion. In a few places the text specifically talks about the end of days. In those instances that is probably the implied teaching. But we must be careful to only read that in those sections. Other sections are Jesus preparing His disciples for what they will face as they carry the message of the gospel to the world.

We must be careful when reading the Bible to seek the author or speakers intended purpose. Too many times we come to the Bible with our theological point of view regardless of the truth. Just imagine if you read the Bible each time for the first time, with no understanding of Christianity. How would that alter the way you read the Bible? I know for me it would be transformational. Next time you sit down to read, clear your mind and absorb the Bible with a fresh mind.