Verse of the Day Sunday, July 6, 2025

 

Verse of the Day

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Introduction

In a world where everything seems to shift—politics, culture, relationships, and even the natural environment—Jesus' statement in Matthew 24:35 sounds like a divine anchor: steady, unwavering, absolute. Spoken within the prophetic and eschatological discourse of Matthew 24, this verse offers a resounding promise that amid the unraveling of creation itself, the words of Christ will remain untouched and unshaken.

Commentary

The verse contrasts the transient with the eternal: “Heaven and earth will pass away,” referring not only to the physical cosmos but to the systems and structures that seem most stable in human experience. The phrase implies a cosmic upheaval, a total transformation that is often associated with the end times.

In Greek, the word for “pass away” is παρέλθωσιν (parelthōsin), denoting something that comes to an end or is removed. This is not mere poetic flourish; it signifies an eschatological truth: creation, as we know it, is temporary.

The second part of the verse, “but my words will not pass away,” presents a radical claim. In a Jewish context where only God’s Word (Torah) was seen as eternal (see Isaiah 40:8), Jesus places His own words in that same divine category. This is a declaration not just of trustworthiness, but of divine authority. Jesus' teachings are not merely inspirational—they are enduring truth, transcending time, matter, and history.

Understanding the Context

Matthew 24 is part of the Olivet Discourse, a teaching Jesus gave to His disciples on the Mount of Olives shortly before His crucifixion. In this chapter, He responds to their questions about the destruction of the temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age.

Verses 1–34 contain prophecies concerning the fall of Jerusalem, the rise of false messiahs, persecution, natural disasters, and cosmic signs. Amid warnings and symbolic imagery, Jesus declares that while the world as they know it will come to a dramatic end, His words—spoken in real time to real people—will remain valid and true.

This verse functions as a theological hinge between prediction and exhortation. It assures the hearers that Jesus’ message is not confined to their generation or to historical events; it has enduring, eternal relevance.

Application for Today

In an age of information overload, shifting moral norms, and social instability, we often search for something—anything—that is reliable. Jesus' words in this verse remind us that while everything else may collapse, His truth stands.

This affects how we prioritize our time, how we evaluate the messages of the world, and how we invest in what will last. Cultural trends may rise and fall. Our health, careers, and even religious institutions may experience upheaval. Yet the red-letter words in the Gospels remain a foundation stronger than granite.

This passage calls us to center our lives on the eternal word of Christ—not just reading it, but trusting it, internalizing it, and allowing it to shape our decisions and hopes.

Reflection

Imagine watching an old building being torn down—a structure that once seemed immovable. Dust clouds rise, stone crumbles, and what once stood for a century is gone in a day. Now think about how many such things we unknowingly treat as permanent in our own lives—our routines, our comforts, even our assumptions about the future.

Jesus reminds us that only one thing endures: His Word. Not the buildings we live in, the systems we serve, or even the earth beneath our feet. In that light, we’re challenged to ask: What am I clinging to that is destined to pass away? And what would it look like to build my life on something truly eternal?

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The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.