Conversational Mood Swings

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:1-2).  Jesus sounds at first like the ultimate killjoy in this account.  Imagine walking with some friends this [oh-please, please, please-come-quickly] spring, looking up, and mentioning how beautiful the blue sky looked only to have have somebody say, the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31).  That would be a bit of a conversation stopper.  With all social niceties aside, Jesus went on to tell them about the coming end of the world as humanity knows it.  He had a short three years to build into His disciples the type of perspective that would launch them into a hot passion for God's glory and gospel--a passion that would lead to their persecution, martyrdom, and establishing of the global church.  He clued them in to the seriousness of troubles ahead by informing them that only those who endured to the end would be saved (V. 13).  The fact of life for most of us today is that we've got it pretty good--lots of creature comforts, a huge network of acceptance of our Christian values, and (as far as we can tell) a hopeful road ahead.  To be sure, these are gifts, and we should be thankful for them.  For a break in the middle of a couple hours of reading in my riveting Hebrew grammar text last night, Gen and I streamed an episode of "Duck Dynasty."  "I'm really enjoying this new TV," I said.  It was a nice 22 minutes of refreshment, and ended with a typical Robertson family prayer before a meal...good stuff.  But I was reminded this morning that I need to experience that enjoyment while also hearing Jesus's interrupting words so that I long for ultimate refreshment in Him at the willing expense of countless temporary ones.  It was a nudge I needed and one that hopefully strengthens you too.