11.04.25 Luke 21:5-28

Prepare

Lord Jesus, as we read your journey to the cross, may your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth and keep us curious.

Help us examine your example and in doing so, be moved to worship.

Amen.

Read

Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “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.” “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 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. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. “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. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life. “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 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. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 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. 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. “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. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Reflect

Imagine being treated by a doctor who didn’t understand medicine. Or being rescued by a fireman who didn’t understand fire. Imagine receiving for directions from someone who didn’t understand where they were.

It’s a lot easier trusting someone who is certain and in today’s passage, I’m struck by how certain Jesus is of the future. Whilst the end times is far outside our control, we put our faith in the one who is the first and the last, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

As part of our prayer today, we’ll consider 3 commands Jesus from the passage

Be

Jesus says “When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

Jesus, we praise you today, trusting that you are over and above all the conflict, war and aggression in our world.

Jesus, we thank you that you know what the future holds

Jesus, thank you that you will one day come again.

Become

Jesus says “Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life”

In the quiet, think back to a time when you have been shown hate for being a christian

Ask the holy spirit for the faith to stand firm

Do

Jesus says “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus, we thank you that our faith is not in vein. Our trust will be rewarded on the day of your return.

Take a moment to pray for the church congregations of St Pauls and St Barnabas, that we would not lose faith in Jesus return and that by living out our faith, others would do the same.

Practice

We started by thinking about a doctor who did not know medicine, a fireman who did not know fire and a guide who did not know his way.

Be in no doubt, as you go about your day, that Jesus is our doctor who has provided the perfect remedy, he is our faithful rescuer, and he will lead us day by day until we see him face to face when he returns.

Consider how you might live your day differently with an expectation of His return.