Study Desk

but then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.

They gave a little bit of their riches, but she gave everything she had to live on."

Jesus replied, "You got that right. All these buildings are impressive, but not a single one will be left standing. They will all be knocked down."

There will be wars and threats of wars, but y'all don't have to be afraid. Sure, these things will happen, but just because they happen doesn't mean the end is right around the corner.

Nations will go to war against other nations and there will be fighting all over the world. There will be earthquakes and droughts and people will starve, but these things are just the first sharp pain of the birth that will come later.

"When you see these things start to happen, be careful, but be ready also. You will be arrested in the towns and beaten right inside the churches. You will stand trial because you ride for me. This may sound bad, but it is a great opportunity for you to tell others about the free gift I give everyone who rides for me.

But don't go to worrying about what you will say before you are arrested. When that time comes, God will put the right words in your mouth and the courage in your heart. It won't be you who is talking, it will be the Holy Spirit."

If you ride for me, people are going to hate you and want you dead. But the cowboy who rides all the way to the end for me will be saved.

In fact, the times will be so hard that unless God intervenes, and he will, not a single follower of mine would survive. But for the sake of those who ride for me, God will step in and help.

The current heaven and the earth you see now will end, but my words will never prove untrue."

Jesus held up a cautionary hand, "But no one, and I mean no one—not the angels in heaven, or myself—knows the exact time when this will take place. Only God knows.

While Jesus was staying in Bethany at the house of a fellow named Simon (who had a terrible skin disease), he relaxed at the table. A woman came by the house and had a small, but extremely expensive jar of aromatic oil. She opened it and poured the whole thing on Jesus's head (this was a great honor she was trying to give him).

But some of the people who were there took offense at the gesture. They said, "Why waste such an expensive gift on one person?

But Jesus shut them up right quick. "Y'all leave her alone. She hasn't done anything to you, but she has done something extremely nice for me.

You will always have the poor to help, but you will not always have me around. She tried to do something special for me and I appreciate it.

He will betray me because God said it would happen, but it would be better for the double-crossing cur dog if he'd never been born."

But after I come riding back from the grave, I will meet you in Galilee."

Pete spoke up quickly and said, "All these boys may run off and leave you, but I won't."

Jesus replied kindly, "Listen Pete. Today—actually, this very night—before the rooster crows in the morning, you will deny you even know me. Not just once, but three times."

"Dad, you can find another way—can't you? It doesn't have to happen like this, does it? I sure don't want to drink from this cup of agony that sits before me."After a moment's pause, he continued, "But you know what, Dad? It's not about what I want. It's about what you want."