by Samuel E. Ward Part 4: Jesus' Journey to the Cross Introduction As we continue our study through Luke, we will sense some of the urgency that Jesus must have felt knowing that by the end of the week He would be on the cross dying for the sins of mankind. How He was able to continue so focused on task and not be distracted by the immensity of the abuse and suffering that would soon be inflicted upon Him is beyond our understanding. He was more concerned for the suffering of others. He shed tears for His kinsmen because they were continuing their historical penchant for rejecting the eternal spiritual blessings of God's kingdom for temporal control of their own national interests. He likely felt emotional pain for what his disciples would be put through as they watched Him from afar go through the abusive ordeal that would ultimately end in His crucifixion. Though their sorrow would be short-lived, the initial pain of the loss would be overwhelming since they seemed to never hear His foretelling of the resurrection. That aside, He continued to move steadfastly toward the most important assignment of His mission. He had things to do and people to teach, convince, and convict. He had to prepare people for the short and long term events ahead of them. We open this chapter with a scene that may fit better in the previous one. Having just spoken about the compassionless thievery the chief priests and rulers had effected upon the widows, He contrasts their selfish-abuse of the things that belonged to God with her selfless release of all she had to the God Who had given it. VII. The Widow's Mite: When the Least Is the Most, Luke 21:1-4 Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) (1) As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. (2) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. (3) "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. (4) All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." There is little left that needs to be said about what this scene teaches. It is profound in its simplicity. It reminds me of a framed saying I saw in a restaurant. "I put all my eggs in one basket and gave the basket to God." This is what the widow had just done and that is what Jesus wants to teach us to do. Luke changes course as he directs our attention to Jesus' discourse on the end times. From other gospels we learn that this discussion took place on the Mount of Olives (Mat 24:3; Mark 13:3) and was instigated by a question from Peter, James, John, and Andrew. Luke does not mention the place, but in verse 37 he tells us that it was to the Mount of Olives that Jesus would retire in the evenings during His last week and so it is the likely venue. VIII. The World's End, Luke 21:5-37 A. A Look at the Temple Then, Luke 21:5 Luke 21:5 (NIV) (5) Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. For many, the Twin Towers in New York City were a symbol of architectural pride and technology. For a short time ,Tower 1 was the tallest building in the world until the completion of the Sears Tower in Chicago a year later. If someone had said in 1973 when the towers were completed that in less than thirty years there "not one stone or steel beam would be left on another", the comment would have been considered ridiculous. It had all the appearance of permanence. The temple in Jerusalem was the key architectural feature of that city. It was one of the most impressive buildings in the known world with its gold and precious stone adornments. Its massive white stone walls gleamed so bright that on sunny days travelers approaching the city were forced to shield their eyes from its reflective glow. B. A Look at the Temple in the Then Near Future, Luke 21:6 1. The predicting of its destruction, Luke 21:6 Luke 21:6 (NIV) (6) "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." This statement would have sounded just as incredible to the disciples then as someone predicting in 1973 that the World Trade Center Towers were going to be brought down. 2. The probing concerning its time, Luke 21:7
3. The prudent counsel for disciples, Luke 21:8 a. Don't be deceived by false claims, Luke 21:8.
He warned the disciples about being deceived concerning others' claims to be the Christ and "the time" (the end) being near. b. Don't be frightened of by the natural flow of history, Luke 21:9. Luke 21:9 (NIV) (9) When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." He counseled against fear about coming wars and revolutions. These things will come but are not by themselves signals that the end is near. c. Do be aware of the true signs of the end, Luke 21:10-11.
The true end will be signaled by the presence of all of these things and not just one or two. You will know you are in the end times when there are wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and fearful events and strange things happening in the heavens, all at the same time. d. Do be prepared for the preceding persecution, Luke 21:12-17.
In this passage Jesus revealed that before the end, Christians will be persecuted, imprisoned, and betrayed. In context, this refers particularly to the time before the coming destruction of the temple present at that time by Titus in 70 A.D. It probably also points to the time just previous to Christ's Second Coming when an even wider persecution of God's people (Jews in particular) will be experienced. i. These persecutions will be opportunities for Christians to be a witness for Christ. ii. Jesus promises to supply the words of testimony Christians will speak when they are brought before rulers for their faith iii. By standing firm, Christians will gain life that cannot be taken away. e. Do be comforted by the promise of life if you endure, Luke 21:18-19
4. The precursor to the future desolation of Jerusalem, Luke 21:20-24 Jesus returns to His discussion concerning the temple's future destruction: (primarily it refers to the70 A.D. destruction by Titus and perhaps secondarily to the one near the 2nd Coming of Christ)
The key facts that emerge from Jesus' words here are: a. It will preceded by a besieging army. i. those in the Judean countryside should flee to the mountains. ii. those in the city should get out. iii. those outside should not go in. b. It will be a distressing time i. for pregnant and nursing women ii. for the land and people iii. for the purpose of judgment (Zech 14:1-2 makes it a dual reference by describing another siege which will take place during the day of the Lord—the tribulation period) c. It will bring about the scattering of the Jews throughout the world d. It will be a continuation of the Gentile domination of Jerusalem until the "times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. The Gentile domination of Jerusalem will finally end after the tribulation period and return finally to Israel when the Lord returns. C. A Look at the Signs of Christ's Second Coming, Luke 21:25-28
1. There will be visible signs in the sun, moon, and stars. 2. There will great unexplainable disturbances in the seas. 3. There will be extreme terror in the hearts of humankind due to the upheaval in the heavens. 4. Then the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) will return to earth in a cloud with great power and glory. 5. (28) When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." D. A Look at the Fig Tree, Luke 21:29-31
1. Summer's coming is signaled by the appearance of its leaves 2. Christ's Second Coming is signaled by the appearance of signs Jesus gave. E. Final Notes from Jesus on the Second Coming, Luke 21:32-36 1. When the signs commence, it will progress quickly to its end, Luke 21:32.
2. The certainty of the fulfillment of these events is beyond doubt, Luke 21:33.
3. The need for alertness is necessary to prevent laxity in expectancy, Luke 21:34
4. The universal effect of these events will be upon all people, Luke 21:35
5. The reasonable response to the knowledge of these coming events is to watch and pray, Luke 21:36
F. Epilogue, Luke 21:37-38
To be like Jesus . . . 1. We must understand that even after we have given all that we have, if we still have God, we have everything. We can never give everything we have to God and have nothing left. 2. We must be aware and prepared to risk all for the cause of Christ. Let us always be looking for Jesus to return but never merely "biding our time." 3. We must be willing to exercise faith in witnessing. Jesus removes the "I don't know what to say!" excuse. He provides both the opportunity and the words. Of course, the more we know, the more He has to work with in bringing things to our minds. ========================================================== |
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
O to Be Like Thee: Luke 21
