Matthew 24:15-22

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.

In today’s passage Jesus continues to prophecy about coming events. Read Matthew 24:15-22 taking note of any questions that arise as you read.

There is much discussion among scholars about what Jesus means by the “abomination of desolation,” but these same words were given to Daniel by supernatural means at least three times in the Older Testament to indicate a time when the sacrifices ordained by God in the Jewish law would come to an end because of a blasphemous invader who would desecrate the temple. This came to pass in the second century BCE just a couple of hundred years before the birth of Jesus, and it will happen again in 70AD when the Romans destroy the temple.

Aside from the historical events to which Jesus points as he prepares his disciples, there is much we can gain from contemplating the significance of the phrase Jesus uses in this passage. An “abomination” is a disgusting thing that makes us recoil in horror. It is the ultimate distortion of God’s good and perfect creation and ways. It is in all ways unnatural – in other words, not the way God intended.

Take a moment to quiet yourself. Focus in on the goodness of God taking time to notice the life-giving blessings you have in this moment.

Now contemplate these words from Psalm 16, a Psalm of David:

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

How have you experienced God showing you the “way of life” lately? Share your thoughts with Jesus now.

Read Matthew 24:15-22 again.

In the beginning of time, people met with God in a garden and experienced life and joy in the presence of God. After rebellion entered the picture and people were cut off from God by their own rebelliousness, God provided first a tabernacle and then a temple where people could come to atone for their rebellion and experience God’s presence. When God became flesh in Jesus, God’s presence walked among people on the earth, and now those who follow Jesus carry his presence with them through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

We are the temple – the place where God’s presence can be found.

As we follow Jesus and become more and more aware of his presence, we will begin to recoil at our own rebellion and the desolation that comes with it. But we when we are in tune with the Spirit of Jesus, we will want to walk in his ways, and we when we do, we will experience a feeling of wholeness or consolation that transcends our circumstances and spills over to those we encounter.

For the last minutes of this time of meditation, sit with the ideas of “consolation” and “desolation” and try to identify when you have experienced each over the past few days. Then get quiet and listen to Jesus.

What is Jesus saying to you today?

What will you do about that?

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