Today's reading covered the last of Jesus' teachings before He was taken prisoner. And He used the illustration of the fig tree - telling the people that when you see it's buds become tender and it's leaves begin to sprout, you know summer is near. He gives warnings as to the signs that happen before He arrives. But He also gives this warning:
Matthew 24:37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
It reminds me of something I read previously where He said "When the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth?" He also warns that in the end times there will be people coming and doing miraculous signs that will be so convincing they have the ability to fool even God's children. But we should not be persuaded because there will be no doubt at all about His coming back:
Luke 21:25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Then there was the story of Mary pouring a bottle of expensive perfume over Jesus' head. Some complained that it should be sold and the money given to the poor, but Jesus rebuked them and told them they she had prepared His body for burial. As I read that, I thought of how the smell must have been with Jesus all through His trial and crucifixion, permeating all the fibers of his hair and beard. How during the tremendous pain and suffering that He went through, He always had with Him the reminder of one of His followers sacrificial love for Him, reminding Him of why He was now going through His act of sacrificial love for us. Through all the pain He was continually reminded of the worship and adoration of one of His followers. In His humanness, I would think He drew comfort from that. The Bible tells us that our prayers are a 'sweet smelling fragrance' to God. It's interesting to me to think that in these days, our worship and adoration of Him through prayer is like a wonderful perfume to Him. Jesus, may I continually offer to You the sacrifice of prayer.
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