“When shall these things be?”

When Jesus announced that the temple would be destroyed, the disciples quickly asked when that would happen.

Matthew 24:1-7

• The disciples, probably still thinking about a spectacular earthly kingdom, seemed awestruck by the temple property (v. 1).
• Jesus, however, announced that the destruction of that place would be great (v. 2).
• Later, and privately, the disciples asked when the destruction would take place (v. 3). They assumed that such destruction would occur at the end of the world; and they wanted to know what signs to look for (also assuming that they would be alive at the end).
• Jesus warned against being deceived (v. 4).
• He predicted that there would be many deceivers, many who would claim to be the Christ (v. 5).
• Further, although they would hear of wars and rumors of wars, they should not worry for the end is not yet (v. 6).
• International conflict and “natural disaster” in diverse places will come, too (v. 7)

Meditation Points:

1. Wars and disasters precede the end of the world.  Indeed we have seen the same for 2,000 years.
2. Be not troubled by it all.

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The Widow’s Mites

It’s not how much you give; it’s how much you have left.

Luke 21:1-4, Mark 12:41-44

• Have you ever watched how some people present their offerings in church?  Jesus did (v. 1).
• Some folks contribute larger sums than others.
• But Jesus especially recognizes the poor widow who gives the little that she has.
• By Jesus’ math, she has given more than the others—not in quantity, of course, but in quality. Her little contribution is greater in his eyes than the large sums that the rich could easily afford to give.

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Hypocrites, II

Part 2 of a 2-part look at Jesus’ condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew 23:23-39

• Hypocrites are careful to keep the letter of the law, but they fail to observe its spirit (v. 23-24).
• Hypocrites are careful with external, visible cleanliness, but they do nothing about internal righteousness (v. 25-26).
• Hypocrites look alive, but inside they are dead, full of iniquity (v. 27-28).
• Hypocrites pay homage to the righteous who have died, but they would have joined the wicked mobs that killed them (v. 29-36).
• Jesus addresses the Jewish leadership and bemoans its hindrance to men who would come to Jesus (v. 36-39). He also announces the ruin of their religious organization.

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Hypocrites, I

Part 1 of a 2-part look at Matthew 23, in which Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew 23:1-22

• Do as they say, and not as they do (v.3).
• They make devotion to God a burden (v. 4).
• Everything they do, they do with an eye to how other men will perceive them (v. 5).
• They love prominent seats at public events (v. 6).
• They love special titles and public recognition (v. 7).
• We should not desire or use such religious titles as Rabbi, Father, or Master. (v.8-10).
• Greatness is measured by our service, not our titles or public recognition (v. 11-12).
• Hypocrites don’t get saved and prevent others from being saved, too (v. 13).
• Hypocrites pretend to pray so that people will give them money (v. 14).
• Hypocrites work hard to gain followers who remain as unsaved as they themselves (v. 15).
• Hypocrites pretend that words are more true when attached to an oath.  But no amount of swearing or oath-taking will change reality (v. 16-22).

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