A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

NO ONE KNOWS     

Matthew 24:3-8 “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” 

Jesus has been preparing His disciples not only for His pending crucifixion and ascension into heaven but also for the reality that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed and the end of the world would come. Out of natural curiosity at the least and perhaps because of fear the disciples wanted to know more about His prophecy.   

Their most pressing question, and one that still exists today, is “when will this happen?” Of course they would want to have this information. Jesus, however, said to them and His words are also for you and all the people of the world simply that there would be signs that the end is coming. (see devotional verses above)   

The message of the New Testament to the Disciples question, especially from the lips of Jesus is don’t dwell on finding out the exact date of His coming to judge the living and the dead. Instead, Jesus’ taught that everyday you should be ready for His return. Knowing the date is not important. Knowing Jesus is what matters. For, whoever believes in Him, trusts in Him, relies upon Him as they wait for that day will “not perish, but will receive everlasting life.” 

Prayer: Dear Jesus, keep me always prepared for Your return that I am always ready and that you will find me faithful. In Your holy name. Amen. 

The clouds of judgment gather, The time is growing late;   
Be sober and be watchful, Our judge is at the gate;  
The judge who comes in mercy, The judge who comes in might  
To put an end to evil And diadem the right. 

Arise, O true disciples; Let wrong give way to right,  
And penitential shadow To Jesus’ blessed light;  
The light that has no evening, That knows no moon or sun,  
The light so new and golden, The light that is but one. 

The home of fadeless splendor, Of blooms that bear no thorn,  
Where they shall dwell as children Who here as exiles mourn;  
The peace of all the faithful, The calm of all the blest,  
Inviolate, unfading, Divinest, sweetest, best. 

Oh, happy, holy portion, Relief for all distressed,  
True vision of true beauty, Refreshment for the blest!  
Stive now to win that glory, Toil now to gain that light;  
Send hope ahead to grasp it Till hope be lost in sight.  

The Clouds of Judgement Gather // LSB 513