Saturday in the Twenty-Fifth Week of Ordinary Time

Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28

The Coming of the Son of Man

Today’s passage finally comes to its climax: The coming of the Son of Man, Jesus’ favorite self-designation.  This is our great hope, this is what we are supposed to be praying for: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  If we are not praying for this each and every day, our priorities are out of order or our lives are too easy.

There is a “problem” with the passage in Matthew which I wish to address before moving to the passage as a whole.  I say, “problem,” in quotation marks because the problem is with us, not the Bible, for “the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8).  So we assume that if we cannot understand something, the problem lies with us while asking the Lord for more light in the meantime.  At any rate, Matthew begins by saying, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days,” suggesting that the second coming (which is what the following passage is about) was to happen immediately after the fall of Jerusalem (which is what the previous passage is about).  But as I have said already, I do not think that those passages which relate specifically to the fall of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15-28) do not likewise have a bearing on the tribulation that will come in the latter days; that is, I think the two events are combined by our Lord on purpose as the two are equally cataclysmic, and our call to faithful witness is the same for both events.

And now, the wonderful promise of the passage: the Son of Man is coming to gather his chosen ones from all the world over, and not one will be missing.  Preceding this will certainly be great distress, just as awful as the siege of Jerusalem so long ago.  The Bible uses such language as “stars falling from heaven” to describe the significance and singleness of such events.  Then shall appear the coming of the Son of Man, “and all the tribes of the earth will mourn.”  Jesus told his disciples that they would lament while the world rejoices (John 16:20).  But there is coming a great reversal when the world shall lament and God’s people rejoice (Revelation 18:9-19:8).  Some think this “unchristian.”  Really?  Did not the Children of Israel sing and dance over the destruction of the Egyptians (Exodus 15:1-21), and do not the martyrs under the altar cry out for justice (Revelation 6:9-11)?  So Luke tells us, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  Maranatha!

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist