Jesus is preparing his disciples to stand firm in the catastrophe which is coming to ancient Israel, especially Jerusalem and her temple. They must see, in those future days, that he has ascended to rule from above and is building
Getaway
From Jesus’ ascension until just before the fall of Jerusalem his followers must testify to Israel: tell of what God has done through his Son whom they killed. Some will believe and be saved. But many won’t and the formal
Future worries
In stress-filled times our minds can be disturbed making our responses unreliable. Jesus knows that the four disciples who ask him about the future face just this danger. They have heard him predict the fall of Jerusalem’s temple, which means
The resurrection principle
Once the disciples recognised Jesus as the Christ, God’s king, he began to tell them of his impending death. He also assured them that this will work out for glory, since the Father will raise him back to life. But
Anger management
Jesus has seen the state of the temple and it isn’t good. God judgement is going to strike it for its sorry state. But not yet. There must be mercy in wrath. Jesus will delay the destruction so that some
Private plan, public parade
Jesus arranges to ride up to Jerusalem. The crowd of Passover pilgrims and others on the road see this as a declaration that a new King David has arisen., meaning salvation from hated enemies. However, Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem will
See the son of David
Jesus arrives in Jericho in the midst of crowd looking for a great king. Could he be the one who replays the mighty victories of Joshua over a foreign enemy? When a blind man calls him “Son of David”, it