The Rock, The Road, And The RabbiSample

Longing for Jesus’ Return (Mount of Olives)

The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge east of and adjacent to the Old City of Jerusalem. Olive groves once covered its slopes, and a small grove—the Garden of Gethsemane—remains there to this day. What surprises some first-time visitors is that this place has been used as a Jewish cemetery for over 3,000 years. Many Jews believe the Messiah will someday arrive in Jerusalem through the Mount of Olives—and when He does, the dead will rise from their graves and walk to the Temple Mount. Therefore, many Jewish believers wish to be buried at this site.

The Mount of Olives is one of my favorite places in all of Israel, for it features prominently in the Gospels and in the life of Jesus. Yet according to the Bible, the Mount of Olives will also play an important role in the second coming of Jesus during the end times. As Zechariah prophesied, “Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:3–4). 

There is an ancient road that descends from the top of the mountain to the bottom at the foot of the Kidron Valley. This is the road on which Jesus rode on the foal of a donkey on Palm Sunday, during the last week of His life. As Rabbi Jason describes it, Jesus made this first entry into Jerusalem as the Lamb of God riding on a donkey—a symbol of humility and peace (see Zechariah 9:9). During His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He wept over the city. He saw that it would be destroyed because the people did not recognize or receive Him as the promised Messiah, the one spoken of by Moses and the prophets (see Luke 19:28–44). 

But it was also from the Mount of Olives that Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection (see Acts 1:9–12). Jesus likely chose this location because of its prophetic significance. His ascent to heaven as the Messiah was meant as a precursor and sneak preview of His ultimate return as described in Zechariah 14:4. This was soon confirmed by the angels who appeared to the disciples and said, “Men of Galilee . . . why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). 

At Rabbi Jason notes, at Jesus’ second coming, He will descend from the heavens riding a white war horse ready to vanquish all evil from the world (see Revelation 19:1–16). But in the meantime, it is our role as His followers to actively look for, long for, and pray for His coming—just like the disciples who watched Him ascend. Think how your life would be changed if you passionately longed for and lived every day as if this would be the moment Jesus would return!

Respond

What does it mean to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah? What are the consequences of denying Him as God’s promised Savior and King? 

What do you see in our world that causes you to weep for the future of its people? How can you “watch and pray” to keep your faith strong during trying times? Who would you like to see accept Jesus as God’s promised Messiah? How is the hope we have in Christ good news to share?

What would you say to the unbelievers in your life if you knew Jesus was returning today? We don’t know when Jesus will return (see Mark 13:32-37); it could be today. How does the urgency that Jesus may return at any time affect how you share your faith? How can this possibility impact how you live your daily life?