The Return of Jesus
Today’s passage: Matthew 24:1–44, Mark 13, and Luke 21:5–38
Focus verse: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)
After Jesus does some more teaching (Matthew 23), he and his disciples leave the temple.
What a day they’ve had. In the last few hours, they’ve seen praise from the crowds, verbal sparring with the religious leaders, miracles, and more brilliant teaching.
I’m sure they’re all looking forward to a good night’s rest to prepare them for whatever lies ahead.
But Jesus is always looking for a teachable moment, and one occurs when his disciples point to the temple with its impressive stones and gifts dedicated to God, along with all the other surrounding buildings.
History tells us that this rebuilt and refurbished temple was much grander than the original version first constructed by King Solomon—as detailed in the Bible—or the more modest reconstruction centuries later by Zerubbabel.
This version looms as a most impressive sight. This is the temple and temple area that his disciples point out and that Jesus talks about.
With all the disciples focused on the impressive worship space, Jesus seizes the moment. “Look at all this,” he says. “It will all be destroyed, with not one stone left standing.”
Let that sink in. The disciples do.
It’s not until later that evening—once they retreat to the Mount of Olives—that they ask him for an explanation.
“Let nobody trick you,” he says. “You’ll hear false claims that I’ve returned. There will be wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes. But this is only the start of the end and not the end.”
Jesus continues, giving a detailed—and disturbing—explanation about what will occur. We see some of these things happening today. This leads many to assume the end is near, that the end of life as we know it could happen at any moment.
Never mind that most of Jesus’s followers have reached the same conclusion in each generation over the past two thousand years.
Regardless, Jesus confirms no one knows when the end will occur, not the angels in heaven, not even him. Only Father God knows the exact timing,
Why does Jesus tell us what will happen if we can’t know when it will occur?
So that we’ll be on the lookout, living in expectation that he could return at any moment. This isn’t an excuse to coast through the rest of our lives.
Instead, it’s an imperative call to leave nothing for tomorrow, but to do all we can for him and his kingdom today.
Then we will be ready for him when he comes back for us.
Questions:
- Are we watching and ready for Jesus’s return?
- What have we put off that we should do for him today?
Prayer: Jesus, may you find us watching, waiting, and ready for your return.
[This devotional is taken from the Day 15 reading in The Passion of Jesus.]
Discover more about celebrating Jesus and his passion to save us in devotional The Passion of Jesus. It is part of the Holiday Celebration Devotionals Series.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.