Holy Week
For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Mark 13:19-20
People with a bucket list sometimes try to prolong their days. They fight off death as long as possible and at any cost (I knew a guy who tried bee-sting therapy). As Jesus approaches His death (T-3), He does not try to prolong it. In fact, as we will see tomorrow, Jesus makes it happen on God’s time-table. What I find very interesting is that not only did Jesus accept His fate, but He also tells us that He has shortened the days for the sake of the elect!
On Tuesday evening of Holy Week, after a day of teaching at the temple, the disciples commented on the beauty of that temple. Jesus told them plainly that it would soon be destroyed. When they asked about when that would happen and the signs accompanying it, Jesus gave His famous Olivet Discourse.
Not all are agreed when exactly Jesus makes the transition (in the text) from the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem, to the destruction of the world at the end of time. But one thing is clear: both events would have “tribulation.” You can read a history book to see how ugly things became in 70 AD, when the temple was destroyed. You can read the Bible to see how ugly things will get before the Last Day.
Jesus doesn’t want you to worry about such things. Rather, He wants you, with sober judgment, to trust God to take care of you through them. He was willing to destroy His own body — the true temple — to save us from our sins. He also knows what we are going through in our daily lives. And He promises to cut the days short so that we can sooner enjoy life with Him forever in heaven.
O God, be with us, for the night is falling;
For Thy protection we to Thee are calling;
Beneath Thy shadow to our rest we yield us;
Thou, Lord, wilt shield us.
The Lutheran Hymnal 556:1