7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
In our verse for today, we have the disciples asking Jesus what finger-marks of God they could expect to take place prior to the destruction of the temple. They wanted a heads up, so to speak, to be prepared for this upcoming future event. Confident in the Word of Jesus, it certainly should be noted that the disciple’s questioning was not if this event would take place but rather when this event would take place. It is a natural thing to desire to know future happenings yet we must also be concerned for our duties in the prospect of these things. As modern day disciples of our Savior, we too should be preparing in anticipation for the coming of the Son of Man with the clouds in power and glory:
7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. Rev 1:7 (NIV)
“Tomorrow’s history has already been written – at the name of Jesus, every knee must bow.” Paul Kauffman
Jesus clearly gives us “birth pain” warnings in Scripture as to what we may look for prior to His return:
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. Mark 13:5-8 (NIV)
Peter also sets forth a pattern for our behavior in light of Jesus’ certain return:
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:10-14 (NIV)
As believers in Jesus, we are exhorted to conduct our lives in purity and holiness – unstained, blameless (not perfect) and at peace with Him. Paul tells is in Philippians:
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:9-11 (NIV)
Oftentimes, we as believers get caught up in the trivialities of life – busyness tending to rob us of intimacy with God – the old tyranny of the urgent creeps in and if we are not careful will slyly steal our zeal and alter our priorities. With our mouths we espouse our most important yet our actions prove these words to be wrong. It is important how we live our lives – particularly in light of Jesus return.
“Man’s sensitivity to trivia and his insensitivity to matters of major importance, reveal he has a strange disorder.” Blaise Pascal
I would not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum. - Frances Willard
“Sometime after 1950 we forgot what Jesus said to Peter and what was passed on to us. ‘Take care of my sheep’ (John 21:16). There are ferocious wolves (Matthew 7:15). ‘You are to be a witness to the ends of the Earth’ (Acts 1:8). This is a commission that still holds true today. This is a very personal command to each believer, personally, privately. The all important question is whether you are getting out the work of God, or have you retired?” Wales Goebel
“Every hour we make decisions on whether or not to be to others what Christ has been to us.” Wales Goebel