Sermon for the Third to Last Sunday of the Church Year, 2025

What is even more striking than the vividly grisly details of Jerusalem’s destruction is what Jesus says about it. He says, “There will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” And why this is so striking is because, well, that’s saying a great deal. In effect, Jesus is saying that this event—the destruction of Jerusalem and the bitter demise of its people, of which He prophesied nearly a generation before it took place—would be unparalleled in terms of tribulation in all the history of the whole world. Now, to be sure, it was a horrid event. Still, history is full of many such horrendous events, some of which may seem even more horrifying than this. 

So, what does this mean? I think it means that this particular event—the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70—was so horrid—from the divine perspective—because it was a moment of the revelation of the wrath of God.

Readings:

• Old Testament: Exodus 32:1-20

• Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 24:15-28

• Josephus, "Concerning the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem"

Sermon: