I n the O livet D iscourse , we need to remember that our Lord, in ad dition to talking with His disciples as disciples, also is talking with them as different individuals, or with dif ferent positions in view. In comparing the various passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke, it is in teresting to see the different ap proaches which are taken. Mark points out that, in a sense, it is a private sermon. When the questions are to be asked, His disciples come to Him pri vately. They asked the Lord Jesus, “Tell us when shall these things be?” The great temple which they admired, the very center of their worship, was to be totally destroyed. One can under stand their amazement and concern. These men had expected a king and a blessed kingdom. They were tired of the Roman “yoke.” At heart they were still Jews. They thought of the kingdom of heaven in materialistic terms. A political state was to be established in Palestine. Some were even zealous for the chief seats. In Matthew 20:20-23 there is the account of how James and John bra zenly sought the favor of the Lord in order to become His chief prime min isters. They did it fertively by send ing their mother to ask for them. In cidentally, it is interesting to note that in the Gospels, Peter, James and John are generally together. In this particular instance, however, Peter is not a part of it. After all, the Lord has only two shoulders and there is not enough room for three people. The people in the Gospels are so much like us, aren’t they? But the Lord Jesus knew their hearts. He realized that they didn’t want to believe Him when He prophesied His death. They were not interested in being scattered and dispersed. This was the reason for the sorrow and even bitterness of spirit. They could only ask, “When shall these things be?” In other
words, “When will this period of pro bation be over? When will our trials cease? When will we share the glory with Thee?” The Lord warned the disciples against setting a date as He told them, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Mat- PRAISE, PRAY AND REJOICE OH teach me how to praise Thee, Lord, What e'er my state may be: While 'cumbered with my daily tasks, Or bowed on bended knee. When joys have fled and sorrows come, And troubled are my days; Just keep me steadfast Lord, that I May praise and praise and praise! Then teach me how to pray, dear Lord: What e'er the need may be: For groping souls in distant lands, Or for the lack in me. For missionaries of Thy choice; Their needs from day to day: For sick, distressed and wayward, help Me pray and pray and pray! And too, dear Lord, I must rejoice. If I would please Thee yet: So teach me how this I can do, And how my woes forget. When seems some day has turned to night; For me there is no choice: Be near me then and teach me to Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice! thew 24:36). The day of His glorious return is not dated. Our Lord is far more practical than to set dates. In stead, He appeals to our obligation and duty, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). There is a great lesson for us to learn in this opening passage. 11
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