Year 2, Week 37, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 37, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Luke 20-21.

Today’s reading consists of two chapters from Luke’s Gospel account, which overlap with the readings from the past few days. Jesus has entered Jerusalem to a celebrative welcome, but almost immediately, Jesus is met with fierce opposition questioning His authority: “One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority” (Luke 20:1-2). What unfolds is a series of instructions from Jesus as well as interactions between Jesus and many of the Jewish religious establishment. Luke 20 concludes with Jesus issuing a clear warning to His disciples concerning the Jewish leaders: “And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation” (Luke 20:45-47). Luke 21 records Jesus predictions about the imminent destruction of the Temple: “while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Luke 21:5-6); as well as the decimation of Jerusalem: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near” (Luke 21:20). In the midst troubles, Luke 21 concludes with a warning from Jesus to His disciples calling them to persevere: “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was Jesus’ exhortation for His disciples to fully anticipate suffering and persecution as a result of following Him: “But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake…You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (Luke 21:12,16-17). Jesus gave this warning to His disciples as they requested insight as to when the Temple’s destruction would occur: “And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7). Jesus explained to them that too much focus on the timing of the Temple’s destruction would result in being more easily deceived by false predictions: “And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he!’ and, The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once” (Luke 21:8-9). Jesus was concerned that the disciples must not be paralyzed by terror or fear, for wars and all kinds of disturbances do not necessarily signal that the end has arrived. Between the present and the end, or from now till the end, Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for severe opposition by being aware of what they should focus on in the midst of persecution: “This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (Luke 21:13-15). Jesus directs His disciples to bear witness about Him during their persecution.

As Jesus portrays the fierce opposition that His disciples would face, as well as their primary response consisting of testifying about Him, Jesus issues a strong promise: “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:18-19). Jesus assures His disciples that there would be no persecution that they would face that was outside the ever constant watching eye of God. Such oversight by God is meant to promote endurance in faithfulness, even in the most dangerous of circumstances. Should the opposition become so intense that while they may lose their physical lives, they would not suffer eternal loss. They may fall, but they will rise again and triumph forever. Therefore, Jesus’ disciples are to continue in the faith as they obtain final salvation. Thus, Jesus directed His disciples to foster a life of vigilance and perseverance: “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34). The return of the Lord calls for disciples to be alert to the things that might capture their hearts. Falling into a frame of mind of merely living for pleasure would dull the senses to living with a view of the Lord’s return. When the cares of this life crowd out devotion to the things of God, Jesus’ return, will catch people unprepared.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe