Tuesday of Holy Week
Tradition tells us that the Olivet Discourse, a teaching by Jesus found in Matthew 24 and 25, was preached on the Tuesday of Holy Week from the Mount of Olives, found just east of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It is not an easy teaching by any means, which is consistent with the mood of the week. Jesus has already spent time in Jerusalem sharing lessons and parables about the Kingdom while enduring the schemes and traps of the religious leaders, who want to trip him up and create an excuse to have him arrested. Jesus cleverly evades their theological machinations and turns the tables on them, confronting those entrusted to care for Israel with their own hypocrisy, wickedness, and spiritual blindness. After one such encounter, Jesus leaves the temple grounds with his disciples and remarks that the temple itself will one day be razed to the ground. After they arrive at the Mount of Olives, his disciples ask him, “When? When will these things happen? What signs should we be looking for?”
Jesus’ answer to their question becomes the Olivet Discourse. In it he speaks directly to the day when history ends and God’s Kingdom arrives in all its fullness.
With everything going on in the world right now the subject of Christ’s return is once again a popular one. As wars rage in the Middle East it’s only natural to pay attention, but we need to remember that Jesus’ advice to us is not “figure it out.” His words to us are about keeping watch and being ready:
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”—Matthew 24:42 (NIV)
Jesus is clear: keep watch. Stay alert. These words apply to us even now in the season of Lent. The story of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection are all about redemption, and when he returns in glory all of creation will know the extent of that work. The coming of the New Heaven and the New Earth is directly linked with the events of the cross and the empty tomb. The Kingdom coming in fullness begins with the story we sit with right now.
Today’s song reflects this expectant hope we have in that promised coming. It’s normally a song we associate with Advent, but its themes of freedom, hope, joy, and deliverance also speak to our current journey as well as our eventual destination.
Keep watch.
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection
1) How does contemplating the return of Christ impact your reflections during Holy Week? Spend some time sitting with the wonder of his return, knowing that God is unfolding his plan for history and for your life.
2) Jesus says of his return, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matt. 24:36, NIV) If we are not meant to know, why do you think so many followers of Jesus become so concerned with figuring it out? How comfortable are you living with the mystery?
3) Read and reflect on this verse. Let it lead you into prayerful worship and gratitude.
“In the same way, Christ was also offered once to take on himself the sins of many people. He will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
—Hebrews 9:28 (CEB)