trying to find His way
“When you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31) Did Jesus mean the kingdom of God would come soon, in the disciples’ time?Or was He referring to the final day of history, when Jesus fully returns?It depends on how we understand ‘the kingdom of God’.Jesus confers a different…
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) Jesus conflates the destruction of Jerusalem with the day of His final return.Many of the first disciples were likely expecting Jesus in their lifetime.Similarly, many times in history have felt like the end, when…
“And so you will bear testimony to me.” (Luke 21:13) Jesus is referring specifically to what will happen soon after His time.Persecution, and the destruction of Jerusalem, came after Jesus ascended (A.D.70).The first disciples were arrested, and eventually put to death.But what Jesus describes here also serves as a general pattern for all ages.In all times,…
“For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” (Luke 21:8) I have never met someone who actually claimed to be Jesus or the Messiah.(But I do know of one who just posted a picture of themself as Jesus).And too often people follow human leaders…
“Every one of them will be thrown down.” (Luke 21:6) The disciples found the temple remarkable, beautiful, God-glorifying.Jesus does not see it this way; he sees beneath the show to the heart.I hear Jesus challenging me for what I find remarkable or impressive.Jesus is not impressed by what I’ve done, or am doing, or will do.My…
“This poor widow has put in more than all the others.” (Luke 21:3)
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Beware of the teachers of the law.’” (Luke 20:45-46) There is a strange irony in this statement.The teachers of the law were the devoted followers of Moses.They were the ones teaching people what it meant to obey God.Imagine Jesus today saying, ‘beware the preachers of the Word’!?Or bible teachers, pastors, ministers,…
“David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” (Luke 20:44) Jesus is still speaking to the religious leaders gathered around Him.Here Jesus challenges their limited thinking about the Messiah.Using this quote from David, He shows how the Messiah is greater than David.The original verse says: YHWH (LORD) says to my Adonai (master, owner,…
“They can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:36) For the Sadducees, death was the ultimate reality.Faith in God only mattered for this life, because death was final.Jesus challenges their “this age” thinking about God and life.God is the God of…
“The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. In the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead (people) will neither marry nor be given in marriage.” (Luke 20:34) This verse has always perplexed me, since I was told God designed marriage.If redemption is the restoration of creation, why not the…