Tuesday, April 15, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Matthew 24:3–14

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 

Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birthpangs. “Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come. (NRSV)

Reflection

As Jesus told his disciples about the future destruction of the temple, the disciples were filled with questions: “When will this be and what will be the sign of your coming and the close of the age?”

Throughout history humans have wanted certainty, to know when, what, where. What should we do to prepare ourselves? Specific answers are rarely available. Uncertainty is one of the few things in life we can count on, and it can make us anxious. We run a tape in our heads about what to do if this happens, and it results in not living each day, because we are so focused on potential disaster scenarios. 

Jesus tells his disciples to “take heed that no one leads you astray” and warns of terrible times, nation against nation, wars, wickedness, and false prophets. Even in today’s world, we can point to events where these predictions are already occurring. Over time there have been individuals and groups who have used these warnings and set a date when the world would end. Those dates have come and gone. 

I remember the warnings and panic in 1999 with Y2K (Year 2000). Many computer systems used only two-digit numbers to represent years: “99” rather than “1999.” Starting in 2000 programming was switching to the four-digit year. Fears of computer system failure, massive power outages, bank closures, and transportation system shutdowns filled the airwaves and newspapers. I still have my paper handbook “Y2K Citizen’s Action Guide: Preparing Yourself, Your Family, and Your Neighborhood for the Year 2000 Computer Problem and Beyond.” January 1, 2000, dawned and nothing unusual happened.

Rather than getting distracted by what-ifs and feeling anxiety that disaster is near, we can focus on the present moment, be kind, respect each other, and reach out to help, as Jesus taught us to do.

Prayer
All-knowing God, help me quiet my mind from what might happen and be present in this day to show kindness and caring for others. Amen.

Written by Arlene Faulk, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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