READING FOR MARCH 5, 2026: HOSEA 14, AMATTHEW 24, PSALM 17:8-15                       HOSEA 14 No matter how often one reads Hosea, the beauty and hopefulness in this final chapter will always amaze. Shakespeare at his best cannot match this height of expression of God’s people, the wayward bride, reconciling to her faithful and loving husband, the Lord. 

The opening three verses remind of a pastor providing the bride the words of a wedding vow to be repeated after him, not just casually but from the depths of her heart. Likewise, if Israel earnestly asks God to take away her guilt of unfaithfulness and to receive her back graciously, she will give Him a sacrifice of praise. She also acknowledges that her false lover, Assyria, and her own selfish efforts cannot save her. It is only the Lord, who rescues those most helpless, such as orphans, who deserves her ultimate love. These words of commitment could be recited by each of us individually or corporately as the entire Yorktown Methodist Church. 

In verses 4-7, God responds by promising to heal Israel’s past unfaithfulness. It’s interesting that He uses the verb ”heal” rather than “forgive.” This suggests we injure ourselves when we disobey God. God’s wrath will also be turned aside, which reminds us that rejecting our loving God leaves us open to His anger, His sustained opposition to evil: “The one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36).  In our case, Jesus, not Hosea, pays the price to buy us. He bears the Father’s wrath for all who receive Him as savior. In this reconciled environment, Israel and we will flourish like the cedars, produce much fruit, and give forth a fragrant aroma. Do we want this?

The last two verses remind Israel and us that it’s really God alone who gives us purpose. If we look to Him in obedience, He promises to sustain us. Otherwise, we will stumble on our own.  Let’s ask ourselves honestly, by the way we spend our time, thoughts, energy, and money, are we fully walking in the Lord’s way or doing our own thing?  There are only two ways. 

MATTHEW 24 It is amazing how Jesus turned the disciples’ casual remark about the temple into a dramatic overview of the near and distant future. Jesus’s statement that the temple would be in ruins prompted His disciples’ curiosity. They asked a complex follow up question, likely assuming all three parts of their question dealt with one event: the destruction of the temple to occur when Jesus returns at the end of the age. Jesus, seizing on the complexity offered Him, answered with what appears to be a dual prophecy: describing 1) the destruction of the temple by Rome in 70 A.D. and 2) the return of Jesus, on which we still await. 

Remember the unexpected way the predicted return of Elijah was fulfilled by John the Baptist. Also consider the apparent dual prophecy from Isaiah 7:10-15 foretelling both the births of

READINGS FOR MARCH 5, 2026: MATTHEW 24, PSALM 17:8-15                                               Jesus (Matt.1:23) and Maher-shalai-hash-baz (Isaiah 8:3-4). Thus, the wisest approach might be to focus more on what Jesus tells His disciples to expect and how to behave than by piecing together the precise sequence of events with 100% confidence.

Many Evangelical scholars look at Matt. 24:3-35 as mostly referring to the destruction of the temple. Assuming this viewpoint, we then see Jesus preparing His disciples for challenges leading up to 70 A.D.: false Messiahs, conflicts, natural disasters, religious persecution, and professing believers leaving the faith. As we have seen before when Jesus sent his disciples out for ministry, He gives them a realistic understanding of what they will face. He urges them not to be misled, to persevere in their faith, and to get out of Jerusalem before the besiegement begins. Jesus’s reference to the Abomination of Desolation from Daniel suggests another abomination along the lines of Antiochus Epiphanes (167 BC) will soonemerge. Notice in verse 34 Jesus says this generation will still be alive at that time. Some verses prior to verse 36 do point more to Christ’s second coming:1) the Gospel must first be preached throughout the world (vs. 14) and 2) the manner of Jesus’s return in the clouds (vs. 26-31). 

From verses 36 to 51, the focus is entirely on Jesus’s second coming. Jesus clearly states no can predict the exact time of His return, yet people keep trotting out predictions. Whenever someone does, we can immediately discount the credibility of their interpretation. Sometimes one hears people wondering if Jesus is already here, lying low as a normal person. Others are afraid they might somehow miss His return. Matthew 24 is consistent with the entire New Testament that Christ’s return will not be missed. He will descend on the clouds for all to see. 

Throughout this passage we can hear Jesus pleading with us to get ready for His return (or our own unexpected death and entrance into eternity.)  We need to be certain that Jesus is our Lord and Savior today (Rom. 10:9). If we have any friends and loved ones who are unsaved, we are a poor friend and loved one if we don’t pray and point them to Jesus. Finally, if we are believers, we should live our lives totally with the kingdom priorities Jesus has shown us in His Word. Millions of believers over two centuries have testified that total commitment to Jesus brings total joy. On the other hand, living for self is equated with being cut in two and constant weeping and gnashing of teeth. Whatever that is, it doesn’t sound pleasant.  

PSALM 17:8-15 David identifies two categories of people: Which category describes us and our loved ones?