In Matt 24:1-8, we read this; As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Two days ago, the world changed when Russia invaded Ukraine. Europe is faced with human suffering and war on a scale we never imagined would happen again after WWII. In addition to this, we are still in a pandemic. How then is it possible for Jesus to say, in verse 6, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” How can Jesus ask us not to be alarmed when we have every good reason to be very afraid?
When Jesus spoke those words, He was speaking to His disciples. They were the same group who had heard Him say, in Matt 6:25-34, do not worry about anything but seek first the written law of Moses, and all of these things shall be added unto you. They were the same group who had heard Him say, in Matt 23:2-4, when the Pharisees sit in the seat of Moses teaching you how to obey the written law, you shall listen to and do as they tell you.
There is a distinct difference between Jesus’s disciples and most of us Christians, and the difference is the written law of Moses. They kept the law of Moses, they believed Jesus told them to keep the law of Moses, but most Christians today believe the law no longer applies to them. So what Jesus was saying here in Matt 24:6 connects to what Jesus said back in Matthew 6:25-34, you can only choose not to be scared if you are obeying the law of Moses.
Are you obeying the law of Moses?
Perhaps you thought the law was done away with, nailed to the cross?
Jesus and Paul would disagree with you because they both said the same thing; having faith in Christ is hearing what Christ said and doing what He told us to do. (John 3:36). In Matt 23:2-24, Christ says when the Pharisees teach you to obey Moses’s written law, you should always listen to what they say and do as they say.
So it is pretty evident that if you believe in Jesus, your faith will manifest itself in hearing what Jesus said and obeying what He told us to do. (John 3:36). Then and only then will you be able to choose not to be alarmed when hearing about wars and rumors of wars. Why? Because then, and only then, will your Father in heaven provide what you need to make that choice. (Matt 6:25-34).
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