In our last visit we began to understand the setting in which Jesus presented His teaching in Matthew 24-25. Jesus knew He was the one sent by God the Father to be the Savior of the world. As questions intensified about His authority, Jesus responded with grace, wisdom and love. Some of His most profound teaching is found in this dialogue.
Continued resistance to the truth He was sharing, however, hardened the hearts of those attacking Him. Every overture of love spurned limits the opportunity for love offered.
Finally Jesus confronted them with the stark reality of their rebellious hearts by pronouncing seven woes over them. He made it clear that failure in establishing a relationship with Him was not His fault, it was caused by their unwillingness to accept His love. This is always true, but especially during times of crisis. He was preparing those around Him to be ready for what they would face not too distant in their future.
In chapters 24-25 He was teaching a broader audience, those living in subsequent decades and centuries, right up to the final day of the Lord.
Following chapters 24-25 we read that the “chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest…and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him” (Matthew 26:3-4). Shortly after this Judas went to them and offered to set the stage for them to carry out their plot.
It is clear that the disciples were not yet ready to stand on their own convictions. Only the woman who anointed Him in the home in Bethany seemed to be ready. She understood and did what she could.
