Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 2 March 2025
The End of the World as We Know It
Scripture References: Matthew 24:1-51, Psalms 101:1-8, Zechariah 14:1-6
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CloseIn his closing statement of the ‘woes’, Jesus asserts that Jerusalem will be ‘desolate’ (23:38). It seems an impossible statement when the magnificence of the Temple is considered. But, Jesus again asserts its truth: Jerusalem, and the Temple, will be razed so that no stone is left on another. The disciples are curious—when, and what sign? In his reply, Jesus makes clear that the fall of Jerusalem (which happens under Rome in AD70) is a microcosm of the return of Jesus at the end of the world—and the responsibility of God’s mob is clear: be ready and working when that day comes, by not being distracted, by praying, by proclaiming the kingdom of God. Don’t get distracted!
Scripture References: Matthew 24:1-51, Psalms 101:1-8, Zechariah 14:1-6
Related Topics: Matthew | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
As we continue down the hallway of John’s Gospel, we encounter another character that leads us to the main dwelling. John the Baptist is a familiar figure to most of us, often because of his strange behaviours, strange dress and strange diet! However, John doesn’t even mention these things in his account. Why? In John’s prologue he simply says “There was a man named John who was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him”. In today’s passage we discover who John the Baptist is, what his job is and why it is critical that we get him right so that we can get Jesus right.
If John 1:1-18 is the hallway into the home that is John’s Gospel, then John 20:30-31 is the reason the house was built. John is explicitly clear about why he wrote. And his reason revolves around four truths. First, Jesus did a lot of ‘signs’ (public acts that show the significance of God), but John only recorded these ones. Second, John recorded these signs for the purpose of ‘believing’ – that his readers might know and trust a key truth. Third, this key truth is the identity of Jesus: he is God’s appointed and chosen saviour of the world, who is truly the Son of God. Fourth, this truth believed in gives life, both now and forevermore. With these two parts in place – the hallway into the house, and the reason the house was built this way, we can now begin to unpack John’s Gospel!
John’s Gospel is a little different to the other three Gospels. Remember that ‘gospel’ means ‘good news announcement’. And remember that the four Gospels are ‘good news biographies’ (g.n.b.) of Jesus. As John’s g.n.b. begins, we take a walk, if you like, down a long hallway. It is kind of like entering a hobbithole (for those who love ‘Lord of the Rings’) – a long hallway, with rooms and artifacts off each side, leading to the main dwelling. In this sense, John’s ‘prologue’ (1:1-18) is a long hallway into the main account. And here, in this hallway, all the main themes and ideas are laid out as we begin to consider the key question of John’s g.n.b.: ‘Who is Jesus?’ You see, once we have answered that question, then the succeeding question is clear: ‘What does this mean – what should we do with him?’
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