September 7, 2025 - Matthew 24-26

In chapter 23, Jesus had looked out over Jerusalem and wept.  He had just encountered the mocking and deceptive Herodians, Sadducees, and Pharisees.  He knows how he will soon be rejected by almost everyone.  How he would have gathered the people of Jerusalem together “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (23:37), but she would not come to him.  And so, he weeps.  The broken heart of a loving shepherd!

But Jesus continues teaching, both for the sakes of his disciples and for us.  He teaches about the coming of the Son of Man, he tells the parable of the ten virgins, and the parable of the talents, and he teaches about the final judgment.  Of course, this series of teachings is preparing his disciples for what is about to transpire, that is, his death and resurrection, but also for what will one day be.  Primarily, Jesus is telling his disciples, and us, “Watch!  Be prepared!”  This is the message we heard from Josh and Luke 22, this morning at Baxter. 

And so, Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus (26:16).  But, first, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples and continued to prepare them for what was to come.  That’s the “rest of the story,” as Paul Harvey would say.

Our hope and expectation,

O Jesus, now appear;

arise, O Sun so longed for,

above this shadowed sphere.

With hearts and hands uplifted

we plead, O Lord, to see

the day of earth's redemption

that sets your people free.   -- Laurentius Laurenti (1700)