Matthew 24

Jesus states that the temple will fall.  The disciples ask one question but Jesus answers as if there are two questions.  For the disciples the destruction of the temple and the end of the world are one in the same question.  For Jesus these are two distinct events.  Many have come to Matthew 24 in order to make it say what it isn’t intended to say.  Jesus gives two answers not one.  Read the text again looking for two answers rather than reading it as if it is one long answer.  There may be some mixing of the questions.  Hint: verse 35 is the dividing line. There is great debate about this chapter.  A simple statement from Jesus that the temple would fall has resulted in centuries of discussion.  What Jesus wanted his disciples to understand was that their faith in the God of a temple had to expand to include the possibility that the temple would not always stand.  If the temple fell, what would happen to their faith?  Was their faith in God or a building?  Would an event like the temple’s destruction result in their faith being shaken?  The same is true for us.  Is our God greater than the events of life?  Is our faith in God or is our faith shaken in times of uncertainty?  Events shake our emotions, but our faith can remain firm.  An event may result in our lack of understanding, but we turn to God especially when our emotions are raw and our understanding is limited.  We trust God.