And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
In Oley, a farming community where Vicki and I met in high school, they have the Oley Fair, when hundreds of thousands of people descend on a town the size of a couple football fields. Jerusalem during Passover must have looked similar as thousands of people came to Jerusalem for the feast. It was the custom for many of them to sleep in tents outside the city on the Mount of Olives. Jesus, when he was not staying with Mary, Martha, and the newly revived Lazarus, did the same. During the day, instead of livestock like the Fair, the people went to see Jesus and hear his teaching.
Imagine that! Imagine waking up, having breakfast, and spending time with Jesus. You can. It may mean getting up a bit earlier than comfortable but time in the Bible, reading the word of God is like being in the temple listening to Jesus himself. Better yet, you can pray to God the Father in Jesus’ name. On top of that, Jesus’ last words in Matthew tell us that he is with us always, to the end of the age. You do not have to imagine that! It is the life of the follower of Christ. Enjoy him forever and glorify him today.
Dear Lord, thank you for your presence in our lives and for teaching us your ways. Help us to be attentive to your commands and your promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church