Today’s reading is Matthew 24

Tom writes:

Preachers have done a lot of weird stuff with Matthew 24. Part of the problem is chapter divisions (which were only added to the bible in the 16th Century). Chapters make you think you can look at chapter 24 in isolation from the 27 chapters around it. Madness that way lies. Jesus’ prophetic declaration about the temple (v2) which sets up this whole chapter is the simple follow-on from the prophetic actions and parables we’ve seen over the last few chapters. The Son of Man is bringing the end of something as well as the start of something. Jesus’ references to betrayal, love growing cold, “the abomination that causes desolation”, shaking ground, the Son of Man appearing like lightning and the gospel being preached to all nations are then played out in chapters 26-28. If you flick back and forwards you will see an amazing parallel of language between these chapters. The predictions of Jesus also continued to be played out between the resurrection and the destruction of the physical temple in AD 70. Jesus said they would happen within the generation and they happened within 40 years. Not bad prophetic insight. So does this chapter have anything to say to us today?

Firstly we must follow it in awe and wonder to the cross and resurrection. We see Jesus’ work there not just as forgiveness of sin but as the birthing of a new age for the whole earth. Think about that. And then we must follow Paul, Peter and the New Testament Apostles in hearing in Jesus’ words a promise of the Master’s return after a long time away. Overwhelmingly, universally, the Apostolic preachers spoke of This Return not as a scary prospect for the church but as a wonderful hope - not as a murky terror rolling in from the distance, but as a delicious consummation of what was started in Christ. And they repeated Jesus’ urgings of v42-47 - be ready, don’t let your love grow cold, be faithful. It will be good for you if you do that. So good. You’ll inherit all the earth. You will co-rule with Christ.

Question for reflection

Where would others say your hope lies?

Matthew 24 - Thursday 5th September