Our K–12 education builds towards graduation day. All those years of study, tests, and grades culminate in walking across the stage to receive a meaningful diploma. This education also looks beyond graduation day. All those years of hard work were meant for something more, for many more years in which the student would join the world and contribute. There is a crowning day in our education, but there is also a future.

Holy Week not only builds towards Jesus’ death and resurrection, but it also looks beyond it into Jesus’ future. On Tuesday of Holy Week, amidst a bustling day for Jesus, we are given glimpses of Him in the future.

Jesus teaches His disciples that He will come back again on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30). He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other (Matt. 24:31). Some discern these verses mentioned above as Jesus’ judgment upon the Temple while others see them as the second coming of Jesus. Both events are true and however one may specifically understand Matthew 24:30–31, Jesus declares He will live on past His crucifixion in power and glory.

This future reality puts all Holy Week events into perspective. Whatever happens to Jesus on the rest of this week, His disciples should remember His words concerning His return. Many are conspiring against Jesus, but nothing will stop His future return in glory and power.

What are His disciples to do? Jesus teaches them how to respond. They are to “keep watch” (Matt. 25:13), to be faithful with what they have been given (Matt. 25:14–30), and to serve those in need (Matt. 25:31–46).

Application: Keep watch for Jesus’ return (live as if He is coming back anytime), be faithful with what you have (a good steward of your gifts), and serve those in need as you long for His coming.

Prayer: Prepare us for your coming Jesus. May we long for it as you do. Save us, we are yours (as reflected in Psalm 119:94)!