🙏 Heavenly Father, You have shown us how mankind can find many excuses to deny Your authority or question Your wisdom. Even when Your Son, Our Lord Jesus, walked among us, demonstrating His authority, we were slow to listen. Our pride makes us try to fit Your wisdom into our own molds. Help us humble our wills and expand our minds to embrace the reality that You want to show us in these chapters today. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
Points to Ponder: First, notice that the last chapter ended with Jesus commending the poor widow who offered two small coins for the kingdom – giving all that she had to live on as a great act of faith. Perhaps the disciple who spoke here wanted to point out the ‘magnificence’ of Herod’s temple, in contrast. Jesus tells him that not one of the massive stones in these great buildings will remain. His prophecy comes true around 70 AD when the Romans destroy the temple.
This next section contains prophetic words that talk about what will happen in 70 AD… what will happen on That Last Day when Jesus returns… and what will happen for every generation, in between.
It is prophetic, we cannot see all these things clearly before they happen. It is an act of faith to trust them as we have seen the other prophecies of scripture came true in our history.
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Points to Ponder: Remember that Satan is the great deceiver. He will influence many to claim that they are the long-awaited messiah or the embodiment of the returning Jesus. Don’t expect there to be peace on earth before the end comes. Jesus clearly teaches that wars, earthquakes, famines… all these nasties will continue until the end.
9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Points to Ponder: Jesus talks about the outlook for these disciples now and it’s not pretty. They are brought before the ruling councils, they are flogged, they do stand before governors and kings and witness to them. The gospel must be preached to all nations. (I suspect this is generational. All ‘nations’ must hear, not necessarily all ‘people’. For example: America was founded on Judeo-Christian values and the Gospel has clearly reached this country. If there is an American – man, woman, or child – who has not heard the Gospel yet, then churches and Christians in this nation are not fulfilling their mission in Christ. Not all will respond or accept the Gospel, but as Christians we should fight to give them the opportunity to hear the message of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Luke 1:77)
14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.
Points to Ponder: Jesus brings in references to Daniel’s prophecy of ‘The Last Day’. (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) Don’t get caught up in trying to save yourself or any of your things – run. I don’t believe the living members of ‘The Church’ will need to experience this distress, I believe the living Christians will be raptured before this day. But I also believe the living that have yet to place their faith for eternal salvation in the completed work of Jesus will have this last opportunity to humble themselves, confess their sin of doubting Him… dismissing Him… ignoring Him… then accept His forgiveness.
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
24 “But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Points to Ponder: Jesus gives us fair warning – Satan will try to deceive all, even the elect. Do not believe it – Jesus’ return will be unmistakable. He has told us so – read on.
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Points to Ponder: As man has progressed through history, his relationship with God has evolved. From Adam and Eve walking with God, to a dwindling nation of Israel – God’s Chosen people, to the birth of Jesus, where His words are given directly to people as He walks with them on earth. We know that after His resurrection the Apostles will preach and The Church is born. ‘This Generation’ is the age of the Church and God’s Word will endure to the end. There is an end to this age and as difficult as this hits our souls, the chaos that we see in our families, our communities, our nations, and our world make us long for a future that is peaceful, where all can thrive – where humanity can understand what ‘abundant life’ looks like.
The Day and Hour Unknown
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Points to Ponder: A fair warning is given to the disciples and to us. Scripture reminds us that individually, our lives are but a mist. (Job 8:9, Psalm 90:12, James 4:14) But here, Jesus reminds the corporate church to stay on task. He has spent His earthly life going about His Father’s business. (Luke 2:49, John 6:35, 37,40) Now He is passing the baton to His servants and they are charged to guard His house. Paul understood this baton-passing principle, as generational, as he, like Jesus, speaks to Timothy. (I Timothy 4:1,15-16) (Reading 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy is similar to reading these end-time teachings from Jesus to His disciples.) As Christians, we know we are part of His house, The Church. As Christians, we are His servants in charge of His house; we each have an assigned task. (Ephesians 2:10) If we don’t know our part to play, let us go to Him and ask His help in revealing what our assigned task is.
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
14 Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.
6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Points to Ponder: The time of Passover the Festival of Unleavened Bread is the time where the Jewish nation remembered and celebrated the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings where they were liberated from slavery in Egypt, leaving in hurry, eating only bread without yeast. (Exodus 12:14-15) In their history, during the wilderness period, God provided for the nation in the form of manna and quail. (Exodus 16:4, 12-13, 35)
Now the Jewish leadership is secretly planning how to kill Jesus – the Bread of Life. (John 1:11, 6:35) While the outcasts of the Jews – a leper and a woman, are publicly welcoming and worshipping Him. Some that witnessed the great generosity of the woman felt it necessary to impart their idea of what would be a better use of her treasure. Jesus’ response is a reminder to us that sometimes we should keep our opinions to ourselves. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Whether this woman’s act was ‘good’ or ‘right’ doesn’t matter, Jesus commends it as beautiful. And as we read these verses today, His Word is honoring her act of faith.
I have not understood the tipping point for Judas, but here it is. One of the Twelve, walking with Jesus, sets out to betray Him; Judas knows exactly who to go to. 💔 Two days before celebrating the Passover, Judas does not recognize the evil to which he is enslaved. He chooses to be a servant of evil while still in the presence of God. He replays the history of the nation of Israel. (Jeremiah 2:25)
The Last Supper
12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”
20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Points to Ponder: We know that Jesus knew – everything. (Psalm 139, Luke 8:17) Here we get a glimpse of the preparations that Jesus had already made… knowing that Judas was looking for opportunity to betray Him and desiring to have this Last Supper with His disciples.
We see here that sometimes, great plans should only be shared with two people instead of being broadly announced. Jesus knew there was opposition building, so do we. And each of the Gospel accounts adds more to our picture of The Last Supper and The New Covenant of the blood of Jesus being poured out for the forgiveness of the sins of those who go to Him. (Scripture says… poured out for ‘many’, not ‘all’. Tough teaching, but remember John 6:37 and go to Jesus with your sins!)
It is humbling to think that when Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him, they were all saddened and each questioned their own loyalty.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Points to Ponder: The story of Peter’s denial is prominent. Many people try to humble and discipline themselves to avoid the use of the words: never or always. (Proverbs 16:9 has a way of humbling us!)
Gethsemane
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Points to Ponder: Approaching His death as a man, Jesus was distressed – so Christians, need not be overwhelmed by guilt as they too approach death. But like Jesus, we submit our wills to the Father – crying out to Him as Abba, Father – implying an intimate relationship of trust – Father, I will be obedient to You. This cry may be done by a Christian, not just as the end of life approaches, but each and every day as we crucify the flesh and put to death our old ways of living. (I believe that the more we exercise this faith during our life, the easier it becomes as we approach death, because we are learning that we are no longer enslaved by Satan with the only power he has… death and the fear of death. Matthew 10:28, 16:24)
Jesus told them earlier to stand guard and watch, yet here they sleep. Unable to keep watch for one hour! That is a sobering reflection about our weakness as Jesus tells them and us, that our spirits are willing, but the flesh makes us weak. He also gives us a weapon – Watch and pray!
Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Points to Ponder: The Judas Kiss (Metallica has a song by this title that seems to explain how Satan tempts us to surrender to him and put ourselves in the place of Judas here. 💔 How easy it is to kiss the love of Jesus goodbye when you fail to keep watch of the warnings in Scripture and succumb to the evil that currently has influence in this world.)
Everyone deserted Jesus in this garden. A young man was following, but when the guard seizes him, he too flees. Lots of speculation about this young man, but scripture doesn’t elaborate. (I have an eternity in heaven to get answers if necessary… the identity or meaning of this verse goes to the parking lot, for now!)
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
Points to Ponder: The silence of Jesus goes against human nature. We all want to give a defense of ourselves especially when falsely accused. But Jesus told us in the last chapter… Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved… So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time… Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away… As we watch how the Jewish leaders condemn Jesus, falsely, we steel ourselves with Scripture and strengthen our spirits to overcome the tendencies of our flesh.
Sometimes, defending our faith out of an emotional response, hurts the display of the Gospel message in our lives. How we respond matters – especially under persecution and accusation. Jesus models for us the wisdom of knowing when to give a response and when to remain silent. (Proverbs 23:9, 26:4-5) Notice Jesus speaks with the guards arresting Him, but remains silent with the leadership accusing Him until asked about His identity as the Messiah, where He answers powerfully with verses from Scripture. I AM – the name of God from Exodus 3:14 as well as the prophecy from Daniel 7:13… they don’t get it as they strike Him and ask Him to prophesy! 💔
Peter Disowns Jesus
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Points to Ponder: I’m sure we have all experienced those encounters with people that JUST KNOW HOW TO PUSH YOUR BUTTONS… and unbelievably, we behave in a way we never thought we would. For me, there are a few memories of me with my children that I wish I would have responded differently. And yet, I didn’t. And I KNOW THAT I LOVE THEM and I BELIEVE I WOULD DIE FOR THEM! This is nothing other than the influence of Satan through others that reveal how weak we are in the flesh. For Peter, it is simply the comments of random people.
As difficult as these experiences are to remember, we are thankful for them. 😔 God, in His wisdom, allows them to show us where we may still be relying on our own assumed strengths.
Summary: As these chapters reveal new prophecies, some already fulfilled, some yet to be fulfilled, we strengthen our faith as we get to know God better. It is difficult to watch Jesus marching resolutely to His death while His disciples show their weaknesses… again, fulfilling prophecies from the Old Testament. But it is also encouraging as these chapter reveal the difficulties to be expected in walking a life of faith in our Lord Jesus.
🙏 Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for the gift of faith given to us through Your grace. Let us always grow closer to You in a state of awe and wonder at the love You displayed in the life of Jesus. It is in His mighty name that we pray this. Amen.