A Journey to Easter - Day 42

[Jesus said,] “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is near.”

(Luke 21:25-28 CSB)

Tuesday of that last week was a heavy teaching day for Jesus—both in volume and subject matter. That morning, He taught in the temple courts, imparting parables and invoking woes upon the Pharisees and Scribes. Then Tuesday afternoon, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus delivered what has been called The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:1-25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36). It is centered around the theme of end times, for Jerusalem and then His return at the end of the world.

Mercifully, Jesus provided words of great comfort to lend strength and endurance for His followers for the coming persecution. He assured His followers He would give them “the words and wisdom that none of their adversaries would be able to resist or contradict” (Luke 21:15). They were forewarned and therefore forearmed with the awareness that they would have enemies (Luke 21:16-17). They could expect great distress, but Jesus affirmed, “By standing firm you will gain life” (Luke 21:19).

Standing firm. That’s key—then and even now. And standing firm is possible when people heed His warnings. Warnings like, “Be on your guard” (Luke 21:34). We must be careful, so our minds won’t be dulled, and the end comes unexpectedly (Luke 21:34). The examples He gave on what that looks like has contemporary application for us, because it includes being weighed down by the worries of life and numbed by drunkenness. Then He reiterated (which bears repeating) to “be alert at all times” (Luke 21:36). And “pray that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

Isn’t that the heart’s desire of every disciple? To “stand before the Son of Man”?

Yes! Let’s heed His Words—for He said they are sure (Luke 21:33). So when He comes in glory, we will “stand and lift our heads because our redemption is near” (Luke 21:28).

Although some of His words in this discourse have been interpreted differently (and wrongly) by many over the centuries, there are still plain things we can understand and put to use. And we can trust that He has graciously provided those things we need to be prepared.

Visiting the gospels on a regular basis keeps His warnings to remain alert fresh on our minds—as we await His glorious return. 

#AJourneytoEaster

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