Incentives to Persevere

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Opening Prayer

Patient One, sometimes the past has a stranglehold on today. Help me to unwrap the past and let Your call to the future lead me on.

Read Luke 21:5–28

^[5] Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ^[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.” ^[7] “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” ^[8] He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ^[9] When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” ^[10] Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ^[11] There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. ^[12] “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ^[13] And so you will bear testimony to me. ^[14] But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ^[15] For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ^[16] You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ^[17] Everyone will hate you because of me. ^[18] But not a hair of your head will perish. ^[19] Stand firm, and you will win life. ^[20] “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. ^[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. ^[22] For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. ^[23] How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. ^[24] They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. ^[25] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ^[26] People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ^[27] At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ^[28] When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Meditate

Trust means to hope where we cannot see (Heb. 11:1). We look to Jesus, who promises to return one day in great power and glory. In the meantime, we are to serve and wait with great expectation.

Think Further

The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish cultural, national and religious identity. It was the presence of God on earth and firm evidence of his election of the Jewish nation as his people. So Jesus’ listeners are stunned when he says its days are numbered. He then goes on to talk about the fall of Jerusalem and what would happen in the days leading up to his return to reign in victory.

These verses are fraught with difficulty. Perhaps a key to interpreting them is to remember that Jesus is not giving us a timetable but is alerting his followers to the fact that the times ahead would be hard—and giving help for how to cope. Verse 8 is an important verse—there will be hardships and persecutions (10–12), but there is also a danger of being deceived and hence the need to keep watch and pray (see also verse 36). Jesus’ words have carried reassurance for believers in every century as to how they are to react when life is hard. He promises wisdom and words in the midst of opposition (13–15); their eternal safety is secure (18,19). They are to live and preach the Gospel to a world which often rejects Jesus.

Jesus assures us that one day deliverance will come, even though events may be painful and even our families may oppose us (16). Disciples need to have a resolve to endure, which can grow in the face of God’s assurance that he will do what he has promised and come back as the supreme king (27,28). Commitment to Jesus is costly and may even lead to the ultimate sacrifice (16), but this supreme assurance of Jesus’ return should equip us and enable us to trust in God’s control.

Apply

How do you respond when problems or difficulties are present or are certainly going to happen in the future?

Closing prayer

Lord, thank You for the hope You give to Your children. May I look to You and trust in Your power over all circumstances.

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