Scripture

“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Observation

As they go to the Mount of Olives, Jesus says to his disciples that that night they will all desert Him. Peter declares that he will never abandon Jesus. But Jesus tells him that very night, Peter will deny three times that he even knows Jesus.

They go to the grove called Gethsemane. Jesus tells them to stay there, taking Peter, James, and John a little further. He asks them to keep watch with Him.

After a while, Jesus returns to the three to find that they are asleep. Again He prays and returns a second time to find them asleep.

Finally Jesus returns a third time and find that Judas has arrived with some guards to arrest Him.

Application

The words of Jesus to his disciples are relevant to us today. “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give into temptation. For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

We cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. The fleshy part of us is too weak. If we depend on our own virtue, Satan will trip us up every time.

The key is to put the flesh to death, to crucify our old nature. Then we will realise that we have no strength of ourselves and must fully rely on Christ.

“Keep watch and pray.” Jesus tells us we must stay alert for the signs of the evil one. We must recognise patterns of temptation so that we can see the attack coming.

Then we must pray as earnestly is Jesus did. Pray for the ability to stand firm in Christ. Pray for all sorts of other things also. It is this close intimacy with God that allows us to overcome evil.

Prayer

Lord, when I am tempted, please remind me to pray and to seek you. There is no good thing that I can do of myself, but you sustain me and keep me. Amen.

Scripture

He took the cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”

Observation

The disciples ask Jesus where they are to celebrate the Passover. He give them directions, and they prepare the feast.

Jesus sits down with his disciples. He says that one of them will betray Him. Distressed, they each ask, “Is it me?” Jesus replies that one of them will do it, and it would be better if he had never been born.

Jesus takes some bread, blesses it, and gives it to the disciples, saying,“This is my body.” Then he takes a cup of wine and says that it is His blood in God’s covenant.

They sing a hymn and go to the Mount of Olives.

Application

The sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted by the Lord Himself. The simple act of eating bread and drinking wine reminds us of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross.

The bread is his broken body. The wine is the blood that confirms the covenant God has made with His people on the cross.

Some christians make light of the sacraments, but we do this at our peril. Paul tells us that if we participate in an unworthy manner, we bring judgement on ourselves.

We underestimate the power of symbols. In Communion, we are eating Christ’s body and drinking His blood. We consume Christ to maintain our life. He is in us by the Holy Spirit. The church shares a common loaf of bread and a common cup of wine to illustrate that we are unified in Christ.

Communion and baptism provide spiritual power to the church. As important as preaching and the gifts of the Spirit are, we must never neglect the sacraments.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you died for me at Calvary. Please help me to appreciate the depth of your love for me. Amen.

Scripture

“She has poured perfume on the me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deeds will be remembered and discussed.”

Observation

The leading priests and elders start plotting to capture and kill Jesus. But they don’t want to do it during the Passover for fear of a riot.

Jesus is in Bethany, where a woman comes in with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume which she pours over Jesus’ head. The disciples are indignant at this extravagant waste. Jesus tells them that she has done a good thing, effectively preparing his body for burial. What she has done will be remembered all over the world.

Judas then goes to the priests to offer to betrayed Jesus.

Application

Everything is coming together for the crucifixion. The priests are plotting. Judas is ready to hand Jesus over. This woman, in an active extravagant worship, is preparing Jesus’ body for burial.

There are always people who want to limit how the church may worship the Lord. They see expressions of love as a waste of limited resources.

Other people don’t count the cost. They just want to love on Jesus without restraint.

The fact is that God will supply all that we need to express our love for Him. If he calls you to donate generously, even recklessly, to a mission or to a church, you can be sure that he will look after you and provide more than enough for you.

I experienced this when we first started our church. We literally had nothing, but we were able to feed our family, furnish our building, and give generously to other ministries. I have seen this pattern reproduced in other people over the years .

Prayer

Father, thank you so much for your provision and for the great gift of salvation. Please help me to give back to you as generously and as extravagantly as this woman in Bethany. Amen .

Scripture

“All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people from one another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on the right and the goats on the left.”

Observation

When the Son of Man comes in glory with the angels – at the end of the world – Jesus will judge all people (“all the nations”).

People will be separated into goats and sheep. The sheep are those people who, motivated by Christ’s love, cared for the hungry, thirsty, prisoners, orphans, and so on. When they did something for the least of his brothers, it was as if they did it directly for Christ.

The goats, on the other hand, are rejected because they ignored the needs of the least of Christ’s brothers and sisters.

The goats will go into eternal punishment, while the sheep will go to eternal life.

Application

In this passage, Jesus clearly shows that judgement will be on the basis of our works, that is, deeds done to serve christian brothers and sisters.

But what about salvation by faith? Yes, we are saved by our faith in Christ, but we are saved to do good works in Him (Ephesians 2:10).

It is not enough to declare that we have asked for God’s forgiveness. The reality of the new birth comes out in a changed lifestyle. Anybody who professes Christ but is still living for themselves is not a true Christian.

We will be judged by our actions, because our actions reveal the true state of our heart.

To be born again means that our whole life is surrendered to Christ. We see ourselves no longer as masters of our own destiny, but as slaves to Christ.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for dying for me. Please show me the “least of these” whom you are asking me to serve. Amen.

Scripture

“Now throw this useless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Observation

Jesus tells the parable of three servants.

A man going on a long trip entrusts money to three servants, according to their ability. To one he gives five bags of silver, to another two bags, and to the third one bag. Two of the three servants invest the money and double their investment, while the third servant buries his treasure in a hole in the ground .

The master returns. He is delighted with the efforts of the servants to whom he had given five and two bags. The third servant said to his master, “I know you are a harsh man and I was afraid I would lose the money you gave me.”

The money given to this third servant is given to one of the other servants. The useless servant is thrown into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Application

Jesus often spoke about the judgement coming upon those who are opposed to God. People who think that Jesus was just about warm fuzzies and pretty unicorns have never read what He said. Much of his teaching is a warning to escape judgement from the Father.

In this case, the judgement fell on a man who was fearful of punishment. He saw the master as harsh and unforgiving. In his fear, he failed to live up to what was expected of him. There are people who refuse to have anything to do with God because of a false perception that He is harsh and waiting to smite those who earn His displeasure. Because they refuse to see that God is love, then they bring upon themselves the judgement they feared.

Hell is real! Judgement is real! The only way to be put right with God is to receive the forgiveness bought on the cross by Jesus. There is no other way to the Father. But the way is open to everyone who comes to Him.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your great love and never ending grace. Thank you for the assurance that you welcome all who come to you in Jesus. Amen

Scripture

“You, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or the hour of my return!”

Observation

Jesus tells a parable of ten bridesmaids awaiting a bridegroom. Five of them are foolish, for they did not bring sufficient oil for their lamps. The others had wisdom to bring extra oil.

At midnight, they are roused by a shout that the bridegroom is coming. The five foolish girls have to go off to buy oil, but the five wise girls accompany the bridegroom into the marriage feast .

When the foolish bridesmaids return with their lamps lit, the bridegroom tells them to go away, he does not know them.

This is how it will be on the judgement day. We must keep watch and be ready for Jesus to return .

Application

The girls in this story were not divided into bad and good, but wise and foolish. The wise girls were prepared and ready to meet the bridegroom, but the foolish girls were not ready.

The vast majority of people, so it seems, go through life totally unprepared to meet the Lord. They may not be wicked by the world’s standards, they simply disregard the claims that God has on their lives.

They may be told about the need of a Saviour, read a message, or even go to a church service, but they think that they don’t need that stuff at this time of their lives. For one reason or another, they don’t get around to getting right with God, and then it is too late.

On the day they die, the stern rebuke comes, “Go away! I never knew you!”

Don’t be that person. Ask Jesus to come and forgive you today!

Prayer

Lord, your word says that today is the day of salvation. I pray that if anyone reading this does not know you that you will come to them and show them clearly the way of salvation. Amen.

Scripture

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing other household servants and feeding them. if the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.”

Observation

Jesus’ return is like the days of Noah. Before the flood, people partied and celebrated right up to the time that Noah entered the boat.

We must keep watch for we don’t know when the Lord is returning. We must be like a faithful servant whom the Lord can entrust the provision and management of the household. A good servant will receive a reward, but an evil servant will be punished.

Application

The warnings of Jesus in this chapter mainly relate to his coming in judgement in the year 70 rather than some future glorious appearance. There are some warnings that are relevant to all ages.

A good servant his one who can be trusted in the absence of the master. The master can trust him to care for the household, as if the master was present.

Jesus is not physically present with us, but we do have the Holy Spirit to direct us and teach us the Lord’s ways. It is no good waiting until we hear the trumpet, or see enough prophetic signs occur that we think the rapture might happen any minute.

No, we need to be always ready, always faithful, always trustworthy, to be serving the Lord in all things.

If we really love the Lord and are truly converted, then of course we will want to serve Jesus. If we do not want to serve Him, then we are like the evil servant who does what he wants in the master’s absence.

So, we need to be obedient to the Lord in order to receive the reward of eternal life

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please show me how to be the faithful servant, a person who lives in humble and fellowship and obedience to you. Amen.

Scripture

“I tell you the truth, this generation will not from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”

Observation

Jesus continues to warn about the soon to happen events.

False messiahs and false prophets will arise in order to deceive, if possible, God’s children. Then, the sun will be dark and and stars will fall from the sky – this is a reference to the falling of political power in Jerusalem in 70 AD. People will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds – a reference to Christ judging the nation with power and glory.

That generation to whom Jesus was speaking would not disappear until these things happened. Heaven and earth may pass away but his words will not i.e. things are as sure as God’s promises.

Application

All of these things are meant to be seen as referring to the terrible events of AD 70. Jesus confirms this by saying,“This generation will not pass from the scene until these things take place.” In other words, they would happen inside a 40 year time period from when Jesus spoke. AD 70 fits into this time scale.

It is astonishing (well not really, when we understand God’s gift of prophecy) that Jesus so accurately described what was to come and ultimately what did occur.

I find this comforting. The Lord knows everything that is going to happen in our future and already has it under control. He was not surprised by the events of the year 70, and He is not surprised by the events of the year 2023 .

Many have come to believe that these events are signs of Jesus’ second coming. But in order to do this, they have to bend the words of Jesus out of shape and construct elaborate and complex timelines.

The kingdom of God is already here, and everything predicted by Jesus in this passage has already happened.

Prayer

Thank you Father that you know my days before I do. Thank you for the assurance that you are in control. Amen

Scripture

But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another.”

Observation

Jesus leaves the Temple precinct and makes the starting prediction that it will all be completely destroyed.

Later, on the Mount of Olives, they ask Jesus what will be the signs of the end of the age? Jesus tells them that many false Messiahs will arise and there will be wars and famines, but these are just like birth pangs.

They, the disciples, will be arrested and hated. Many false prophets will deceive people, and the love of many will grow cold. The good news about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the Empire and the gentiles will hear it.

The abomination of desolation prphesied about by Daniel will occur. At that time, the people living in Jerusalem must flea to the hills. This time of trouble will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones .

Application

This entire section is not talking about the end times but about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. At that time, the Romans, having been kicked out of Jerusalem in an insurrection retook the city. The Temple was desecrated and then destroyed, and much of the population was killed. It was a terrible ordeal.

When Jesus said these words, the Temple was in the process of being rebuilt. It was completed about 67 AD, and many Jews scoffed at Jesus’ predictions. Far from being destroyed, it was more magnificent than ever. But a few years later, it was totally demolished, never to be built again.

Sometimes, we can become discouraged, but we need to remember that God’s Word never fails and His promises will always be fulfilled.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the assurance that every word you speak is true, every prophecy will be fulfilled, and every promise will be kept. Amen.

Scripture

“Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy’ and lawlessness.”

Observation

Jesus continues his judgement against the teachers of the law and the Pharisees.

He calls them “whitewashed tombs” that look beautiful on the outside, but inside they are full of corruption and decay. They look righteous on the outside, but their hearts filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

They build monuments to the prophets of old, whom their ancestors killed. They say, “If we had lived then, we would never have joined in killing the prophets.” Jesus says He will send prophets and wise men, and the same people will kill them by crucifixion and have them flogged in the synagogues.

Jesus laments over Jerusalem, the city that kills God’s messengers. He wanted to gather them together, but they would not let him. Now, desolation is coming.

Application

Jesus condemns the hypocrisy of religious people who try to live from the outside in.

There are many people who act like Christians on Sundays, but the rest of the week are terrible people. Some people are righteous in public, but violent and hateful at home. Some just try to act like they think Christians should.

God wants us to be transformed from the inside out. He doesn’t want a paint job over a festering dung pile.

He gives us the resources that are needed to allow this to happen. When we give our lives and our hearts over to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit starts to work in us. The works of the flesh give way to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians chapter 5).

As we follow Jesus each day, read the Bible, and pray, the corruption in our heart gives way to holiness.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I commit my life into your hands. Take every part of me and make me new. Amen.