This two part series, brought to us by Jon Paulien, is happening because you asked. Among the most persistent questions that seem to surface over and over again have to do with last day events, the end of the world, the future. Along with these questions, often come a sense of anxiety about whether or not we will be able to navigate those times successfully. In this two part series, Jon Pauline takes a shot at giving us a helpful way to think about these questions, and maybe some of the anxiety that goes along with it as well.
Curiosity killed the cat? An interesting saying for a curious people. What drives our curiosity? Is prophecy there to satisfy this? If not, what is prophecy for?
If you'd like to listen to Jon's comments again, click here for an audio recording of his sermon.
Thoughts to Ponder:
Building on the foundation that He built in chapter 24, chapter 25 goes on to tell stories that tell us what watching looks like. Here are some additional thoughts or points to ponder as you consider those stories that Jesus tells in chapter 25:
Perhaps Prophecy is not so much about maps and charts but about how we treat each other?
Perhaps watching has more to do with how we treat each other than watching a calendar?
Might the Wise and Foolish Builders be parallel to the Wise and Foolish Virgins - the point being, whether or not we put to use what we know?
Might the Parable of the Talents also be a contrast between how we use what we are given or whether we don't?
Might the Parable of Sheep and Goats be a contrast between those who live out what they believe and those that don't?
Might watching mean, not knowing the time on the clock, but treating other people as if they were Jesus - a brother or sister for whom Christ died? Watching has to do with how we treat people not what we know or chart?
Might prophecy be given not so much to satisfy our curiosity about the future, but to impact the way we live today? Maybe It tells us how to live between now and the time it is all fulfilled?
Matthew 24 (TNIV)
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains
9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. . .
. 36 "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.