O the glorious truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus! 

While Jesus certainly speaks of his 2nd Coming, He does at the end of chapter 24 and chapter 25.  Here, though, in the Olivet Discourse, His attention is turned toward the end of the Jewish age and the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem.  He prepares His disciples for what will take place in the next 40 years leading to the judgment of 70 AD.  

This morning we introduce the 5th of Jesus' great discourses, The Olivet Discourse.  Here, Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.  Too often, this passage is seen as yet future even to us, but Jesus clearly states, "The generation will pass away until all these things take place."  

Jesus prepares the crowds and his disciples for what's coming for what had become of the Jewish religion - a religion now devoid of God and righteousness, but full of self-righteousness.  Seven woes he gives to the Scribes and Pharisees.

After the Sadducees had been silenced, the Pharisees take another stab at trying to trap Jesus with a question concerning the Law.  He reveals once again that they their hearts are far from Him - that in all their attention to the Law, they miss Jesus - they miss the heart of it all. Jesus follows this up with a question of his own - this one concerning the David's Son - not only do they not love God, they don't because they don't know him.  

After a series of three parables that Jesus tells of the Jewish religious leaders, they now come to him with a series of three questions, two of which are covered in this sermon.  Here, Jesus takes their questions that are meant to trap him and turns them around to expose the conditions of their hearts.  

Here we find the third parable in this set of three where Jesus confronts Israel's failure to respond to the Lord.  It's the parable of the wedding feast - who would possibly reject the invitation of a king to his son's wedding?  

Jesus brings an effective indictment against the religious leaders of Israel with two parables set in a vineyard.  Jesus says he will take the kingdom from them and give it to a nation producing its fruits.

When Jesus first enters Jerusalem, he goes to his house (the temple) to go about his business.  The tension continues to rise between Jesus and the religious authorities.

Jesus enters Jerusalem - the prophet, priest, and king.  Not only does Jesus present a political threat to the Roman government, he presents a threat to the religious leaders in Jerusalem.  He comes as King; He comes as Prophet; He comes as Priest.