Reflections on Luke 21

Luke 21 (Contemporary English Version)

1. Jesus looked up and saw some rich people tossing their gifts into the offering box.
   
2. He also saw a poor widow putting in two pennies.
   
3. And he said, "I tell you that this poor woman has put in more than all the others.
   
4. Everyone else gave what they didn't need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had."
   
5. Some people were talking about the beautiful stones used to build the temple and about the gifts that had been placed in it. Jesus said,
   
6. "Do you see these stones? The time is coming when not one of them will be left in place. They will all be knocked down."
   
7. Some people asked, "Teacher, when will all this happen? How can we know when these things are about to take place?"
   
8. Jesus replied: Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them.
   
9. When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
   
10. Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other.
    
11. There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
    
12. Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors.
    
13. But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
    
14. Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves.
    
15. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
    
16. You will be betrayed by your own parents, brothers, family, and friends. Some of you will even be killed.
    
17. Because of me, you will be hated by everyone.
    
18. But don't worry!
    
19. You will be saved by being faithful to me.
    
20. When you see Jerusalem surrounded by soldiers, you will know that it will soon be destroyed.
    
21. If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are in the city, leave it. And if you are out in the country, don't go back into the city.
    
22. This time of punishment is what is written about in the Scriptures.
    
23. It will be an awful time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children! Everywhere in the land people will suffer horribly and be punished.
    
24. Some of them will be killed by swords. Others will be carried off to foreign countries. Jerusalem will be overrun by foreign nations until their time comes to an end.
    
25. Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do.
    
26. People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.
    
27. Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with great power and glory.
    
28. When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.
    
29. Then Jesus told them a story: When you see a fig tree or any other tree
    
30. putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come.
    
31. So, when you see these things happening, you know that God's kingdom will soon be here.
    
32. You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place.
    
33. The sky and the earth won't last forever, but my words will.
    
34. Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you
    
35. like a trap. That day will surprise everyone on earth.
    
36. Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.
    
37. Jesus taught in the temple each day, and he spent each night on the Mount of Olives.
    
38. Everyone got up early and came to the temple to hear him teach.
    

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    Jesus commended the giving of a poor widow in the first four verses of the chapter which serves as a commentary on what He said in 20:47 about the scribes who "devour widows." Some of those widows were more righteous than the religious leaders who took advantage of them because out of their love for God they gave all they had. In terms of sacrificial giving, their offering was much greater than that of the rich who gave out of their surplus, though the actual monetary value was considerably larger.
    
    This commentary on giving may seem an insignificant sidenote as is also often the attitude concerning teaching about giving in the church. In fact, the subject is often avoided in the church because of the sensitivity of many about the subject. However, teaching on giving is of greater importance than most want to admit, for it is an indicator showing on what our heart or love is focused. Referring to money, Jesus taught, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)  Is our trust on God or on material things? Our offerings are an indicator.
    
    Then the topic changes to the future of Jerusalem and of Jesus' future return. Since Jesus' remarks on both subjects are intertwined in this passage, it can be confusing to sort out. This is the case with prophecy in scripture. It is often presented using symbolism or in vague terms leaving us uncertain about the details of the future events to which they refer. This, I believe, is the intent. Our concern is not to know the details but to know the One who directs the future. We have no control over the future nor is there anything we can do in preparation for the future except to place ourselves in the hands of the God who does control the future.
    
    In verses 5-6 and 12-24 Jesus told of the coming destruction of Jerusalem which would occur in the near future - A.D. 70. In verses 8-11 and 25-28 He told of events leading up to His second Advent. Concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus warned His disciples that they would experience persecution prior to this event. They would be brought before the synagogues and before kings and governors because of Jesus. However, this persecution would lead to opportunities to witness. To be effective witnesses when these things happen, they should not prepare a defense for themselves. Instead, they should allow Jesus to give them the words and wisdom to speak, and in so doing, their adversaries would be unable to resist or contradict their testimonies. (21:15) If they will endure through these trials, they would gain their lives, though it is unclear whether this means physical life or spiritual.
    
    As for the destruction of Jerusalem, they will know that it is near when they see the city surrounded by armies. Though this may seem to be stating the obvious, people are prone to hold out hope that they will be delivered in some way and defeat the opposing armies. Jesus is telling the disciples that such hope will be unproductive. What the citizens of Jerusalem need to do at that time is to flee from the city into the mountains. All those in the city will either be killed or taken captive and Jerusalem "trampled by the Gentiles." (21:24)
    
    Concerning Jesus' second advent which He prophecied for the more distant future, Jesus gave them signs to watch for that His return was drawing near, and with it their redemption. They should not be deceived when people claim to be the Messiah or predict that the time is near. Followers of Jesus are not to follow such people. Neither are they to be alarmed by wars and rebellions, for these will occur but do not indicate that His return is to happen right away. What will point to His return being near is "violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places," and "terrifying sights and great signs from heaven." (21:11) Further signs will come from the celestial bodies, the sun, moon, and stars, though what, exactly, those signs will be is not given in this passage, they will evidently be cataclysmic in nature and visible on earth. We are told that "the celestial power will be shaken." That sight will cause people to be shaken and "faint from fear." (21:26) At the sign of these celestial disturbances we can expect to see the "Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (21:27) When we see Him coming we should "stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!" (21:28)
    
    Following these instructions, Jesus told His disciples to be "on guard" for His return. Jesus' followers of any age should not become distracted by "carousing, drunkenness, or worries of life," and therefore allow that day to "come on you unexpectedly." What is the purpose of our preparedness and for what are we preparing? We are preparing to "stand before the Son of Man" when He returns. That involves enduring and being faithful in our obedience to Him.