Watching the Side-Show

“And sitting down they watched Him there.” (Matthew 27:36)

Wicked men had just nailed the hands and feet of the Son of God to a cross just outside the city of Jerusalem. They had come to this spot and sat down so they would not miss the main attraction. That sounds noble enough, except when you realize the main attraction, or the main event, was designed to forever rid the world of this miracle-working prophet from Galilee.

Many people are attracted to this man of Galilee, this one who called Himself the Son of God, for the “side-show effect.” If He ceases to be the biggest show in town they will drop off and fall away. Others are truly repentant of their sins and they trust  Him for salvation. I hope you are in this latter group of people and that you are committed to doing His will and letting Him control your life, whether or not it is the popular thing to do.

Be Ready for the Lord's Return

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

Just as certainly as the Lord Jesus came into this world the first time, just that certainly He is coming back to raise the dead in resurrection power and snatch away the church in the rapture. Three hundred and eighteen times in the New Testament we are told He is returning.

To “be ready” as the text implores, one must first “get ready.” To be ready to go on a trip one must get ready. Getting ready for His return requires two things: repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He has not told us when He is returning, just that He is returning. We must be ready or be left behind to face the terrible “great tribulation” that will come on earth following His return. He is giving mankind the opportunity to get ready, but no one knows when that door of opportunity will close. Are you ready?

Counterfeits

“For many shall come in my name, saying, ‘I am Christ: and shall deceive many.’” (Matthew 24:15)

The tellers at the bank do not need to attend classes studying every possible counterfeit one-hundred dollar bill to be able to identify a counterfeit one-hundred dollar bill. They only need to learn to identify a legitimate one-hundred dollar bill. If a bill comes through that does not meet the standard of the genuine bill then they know it is counterfeit.

If you want to identify false Christ’s and false doctrines you do not need to study the many false religions and false Christs of the world. Simply read and study the Bible and spend time with the real Christ and learn about Him. False doctrine and false Christs will stand out and be more obvious than a three dollar bill.

Heed the Advice of Jesus

“Tell us, when shall these things be?” (Matthew 24:3)

Man has an insatiable appetite for wanting to know when Jesus is coming again. We have heard all sorts of speculative forecasts into future events related to His return and the end of the world. In the mid 1980’s three comets were supposed to line up in perfect order and then, watch out, the following October the second coming would take place. The date came and went and as you know, nothing happened. The forecasters said, “Oh, we miscalculated by a year. But, watch out next year.” I can almost hear that woman’s voice on my GPS in my car: “Recalculate. Recalculate. Recalculate.”

Jesus gave His disciples two pieces of advice which would serve us well to heed. First, He said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) God alone knows the date of the return of Christ. Man’s speculation from ignorance only confuses folks and never helps. The second piece of advice is, “Therefore,be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) Our concern is to be ready all the time. Be expecting Him any hour of any day or night.

Could Jesus return today? He could, but I am not speculating. He could return today, tonight, this month, this year or next year. Someone reminded us that we are not on the "time and place committee." We are on the "welcome committee." We are to be ready.

Pray Believing

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22

Jesus had come into Jerusalem in what has come to be known as His “Triumphal Entry.” Before going to the cross, and during His last few days known as Holy Week, He called attention to prayer and the importance of having faith when we pray.

When we pray we must do so in the will of God. “…if we ask any thing according to His will He hears us…” (I John 5:14) It is impossible to pray in faith for anything which God condemns in His Word. God’s will never contradicts His Word.

We must have faith when we pray. An old gospel quartet song says, “Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door; words are so easily spoken, but prayer without faith is like a boat without and oar.” 

The Barren Fig Tree

“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” Matthew 21:19

Jesus, as God in the flesh, had the same physical appetites and senses that you and I have. Verse 18 says that He was hungry. As God, He had created all vegetation including all fruit trees (Genesis 1:11), as well as this fig tree.

Just as He was disappointed with the fruitless fig tree which bore leaves only, so also He was disappointed with Israel, represented by the barren fig tree. The fig tree was His to do with as He chose and Israel also was His to bless or to judge.

A little later He would weep over Jerusalem and announce that they would be desolate, forever barren as that fig tree.

Beloved, our Lord is in control of all things. The whole world is His by virtue of creation. He allows us to strut around, bear foliage, remain fruitless and reject Him. One day He is coming back in power and glory. Are you ready for His return?

The House of Prayer

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, ‘it is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer;’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21: 12-13)

Jesus twice cleansing the temple in Jerusalem should be adequate proof that He is not pleased when His house becomes a place of merchandise instead of a house of prayer. The first cleansing is recorded in John 2:13-17.

The building where your church gathers for worship is not the church. However, it has been dedicated to God as a place where God’s word is preached and taught. It is a place of prayer, confession and fellowship with God and fellow believers. It has been paid for with the tithes and sacrificial offerings of God’s people. The place should be honored for what it is and for what its purpose is.

Let us not make God’s house a place for circuses, side shows and entertainment. We can meet God anywhere. People should especially expect to meet Him in the house of God.