Jesus continues to teach in the temple courts. What is it about Him that causes people to change their daily routine, to get up early simply to hear Him speak (v.38)? Is it His power of story -telling, His authority, His charisma – a kind of magnetic attraction? What do you think?  I think perhaps a combination of all of these and more. But, possibly above all else the way in which Jesus made sense of life in a way that no one else quite did. He seemed to understand people, He noticed the detail, He put life into perspective, He saw the present reality and yet was able to see past the immediate into the future. More than anything, He held out hope.

I’m sure the crowd gathered out of a sense of curiosity and perhaps for some there was the real buzz and excitement that comes with an expectation of hearing something that would change their lives. Close your eyes for a moment: imagine yourself present, listening to Jesus speaking live. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it as if you are there, in the midst of the throng, listening to Him. What captures your imagination?

Perhaps you see the woman, crouched low, hobbling forward with stick in hand, clutching her two coins – her face determined and yet with a radiance that is beyond the furrowed brow.

Perhaps you’re listening in to His conversation with the disciples about the fall of the temple (v.5-9; 20-24 - fulfilled in AD70) and you ask Jesus: what is it around me that looks so splendid and secure now but one day will lie in ruins?

There is so much in this chapter to devour. Let’s not miss some key things. The reality of suffering caused by war, earthquake and pestilence (v.10-11); the promise of persecution for our faith (v.12-17); the call to endure (v.18-19). It all makes sense of our world. Two things that stand out for me:

The parable of the fig-tree (v.29-31) and its encouragement to have a hope-fuelled perspective: every time we hear about a war, or a famine, or a natural disaster we can say - it’s another leaf, summer is coming, the Kingdom of God is near.

Watch your heart – take care, neither fear nor flee – but face whatever life puts before you and live your life so that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man (v36).

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Our word count is up! All that remains is to pray: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”