Now & Always
Jesus approaches the end of his time teaching in Jerusalem; his arrest is about to occur. It is important to note that there are two scenes in this teaching of Jesus. As he leaves the temple, one of his followers is amazed at the size and grandeur of the temple. Jesus tells the disciple that it will all be destroyed. Then later as he sits opposite the temple, four of the twelve come to him and ask for further information about what Jesus said as he left the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew want to know when all of this will happen and what signs will indicate such a moment.
Jesus cautions these four to be careful and watch closely because false teachers will come in his name attempting to lead them astray. They will hear of war and rumors of war, conflict among the peoples of the earth, and the trembling of the earth itself. But these are not the signs of the collapse but beginning of the signs.
Jesus cautions the disciples to pay attention and look to what God is doing to bring the transformation of the world. Staying the course will not be easy; he knows they will be tempted to another direction. So he tells them “Beware,…keep awake,” look to what God is doing first and always. These nearly last words from Jesus challenge us as well in the midst of turmoil and chaos all around us. This pair easily entices us and we find ourselves looking to survive instead of preparing for what God is working in the world.
Reflection Questions:
How much does vulnerability scare us?
How hard do we work to keep the walls of our lives up? What if instead of acting on our instinct to protect the walls that we construct, we acted first out of love?
How would we be willing to change to accommodate refugees fleeing terror and violence?
How would acting first out of love be a part of the transformation God is bringing?