Good Morning! I'm still here. While I've been reading and taking notes on the final chapters in Luke; with all the busyness of Christmas and hosting some family members, I haven't had a chance to blog those thoughts. I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior.
In Chapter 21 of Luke we see Jesus preparing his followers, even more, for the time when He will not be with them physically. Here are a few thoughts:
Widow's Offering (vs. 1-4):
Again Jesus points out the importance of placing our faith in Jesus, and not money, for all that we need. We must choose to trust and serve Jesus; not earthly things that will never last.
Jesus Foretells destruction of temple (vs. 5-9):
Earthly things will be destroyed; even earthly temples. In 1 Corinthians 6:9 Paul reminds us that our very bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. While we are to care for them we are not to worship them; they will be destroyed.
Jesus foretells wars and persecutions (vs. 10-19):
Jesus is preparing His followers for the persecution and hatred they will face because they declare Jesus as Messiah.
Jesus foretells destruction of Jerusalem (vs. 20-24):
Jerusalem will fall, the people will be led away as captives and Jerusalem will be trampled "until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled".
The coming of the Son of Man (vs. 25-28):
The Son of Man will return! Redemption is drawing near! Jesus gives these warnings but does not leave us hopeless. This is our hope and guarantee! Jesus Himself will return.
The lesson of the fig tree (vs. 29-33):
Again, the reminder that Heaven and Earth will pass away but God's Word never will! Place your trust in the eternal!
Watch yourselves (vs. 34-38):
Do not be weighed down by the cares of this world. Stay awake! Stay alert! Always praying! (See also 2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
As Jesus nears the end of His earthly ministry and His death He gives warnings to His followers to help prepare them for what is to come after He leaves. With the warnings Jesus also gives hope by assuring them that He will return. Life is hard but He will return bringing redemption so don't be distracted! Keep your focus on Him! Watch! Pray! Do not get bogged down by the cares** and anxieties of this life.
**I thought it was interesting that the word for cares used in verse 34 is the Greek word merimna which is the idea of being drawn in different directions or as Strongs Concordance puts it "a part separated from the whole" and "dividing and fracturing a person's being into parts". The cares and anxieties of this life are trying to draw us away; separate us from Jesus, the source of our peace & wholeness. It's no wonder that Jesus warned His followers to not be weighed down by cares/anxieties and distracted by the world.
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