Luke 21

Luke 21:1

Mark tells us Jesus watched how people gave (Mar_12:41). Paul tells us He loves those who give cheerfully, or, literally, hilariously (2Co_9:7).

Luke 21:2

Even as the scribes and Pharisees argued, discussed, and debated with Jesus, a woman was making her way to the temple and into the gospel record with two mitesan eighth of a centto give joyfully and radically to the Lord.

Luke 21:3

In our giving, the issue is not the amount but the cost. For some people, to put one hundred dollars in the offering is very easy. For others, to put in even one dollar is costly. After a plague had passed through Israel, leaving an incredible death toll in its wake, David was instructed by the Lord to build an altar and sacrifice to Him. To do so, David sought to purchase a piece of property from a man named Araunah. Hearing the reason for his purchase, Araunah offered to donate the land. David, however, insisting to pay the full price said, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord of that which costs me nothing” (2Sa_24:24). A man after God’s own heart, David reveals the Father’s heart toward giving. God neither needs nor desires our “tips.” This woman gave only two mites, but it cost her everything.

Luke 21:5

Forty-eight feet long, eighteen feet thick, and eight to ten feet high, the stones of the temple were massive indeed. Even though it was corrupt internally, the disciples attempted to draw Jesus’ attention to the temple’s external beauty. As impossible as it must have seemed to those hearing Jesus’ statement, a mere forty years later, the Roman siege of Jerusalem resulted in the burning of the temple. This, in turn, caused all of the gold inside to melt into the cracks of the huge stones. After it had cooled, the soldiers pulled down every single stone to get the hardened goldjust as Jesus had prophesied.

Luke 21:7

Because it was the Jews who required a sign (1Co_1:22), Jesus’ ensuing answer, known as the Olivet Discourse, relates specifically to the Jews.

Luke 21:8

The word “Christ” is in italics. Therefore, the actual statement is, “Many will come saying, I AmEgo Eimi"a name of deity. For years, people wondered who would have the audacity to claim deity. But in our day of New Age thinking, it is common for people to walk along the beach with outstretched arms saying, “I am God.”

Luke 21:9

In the last days, wars will rage.

Luke 21:10

The word “pestilence” refers to incurable disease. Certainly the AIDS crisis would qualify.

Luke 21:12

Brought before Felix and Festus, Agrippa and Caesar Nero, Paul would be one to use every opportunity to preach the gospel.

Luke 21:14

Would you be able to do what Paul did? Yes. The Lord doesn’t give “dying grace” until one is dying. The same is true concerning any difficult situation. It’s not until you’re in that place that the Lord gives you the corresponding grace.

Luke 21:16

In the first two hundred fifty years of the churchbeginning with Caesar Nero and extending through the ten waves of persecution that followeda minimum of six million Christians were killed for their belief in Jesus Christ.

Luke 21:18

“You will be betrayed and killedbut not a hair of your head shall perish.” Isn’t that a contradiction? No. Jesus is saying, “Not a hair of your head shall perish” in the sense that we say, “That’s no skin off my back.” In other words, “They might kill your body, but you will be escorted into eternity. The moment you are there, you won’t care about what you lost on earth.” Concerning anything you give up for the Lordbe it a boyfriend you let go because he doesn’t want to walk with God, a job you’ve been fired from because you’re not willing to compromise in the area of integrity, or even your life itselfI promise you when you get to heaven, you’re not going to say, “Phooey, I wish I would have kept that.”

Luke 21:19

Not only was the temple burned in A.D. 70, but also, by the end of the 143-day siege, over one million Jews were killed. Of those who survived, many were taken prisoner, leaving the rest to scatter throughout the world. They wandered as a people without a homeland until May 14, 1948, when Israel became a nation once again. It was in 1967 that the Jews reclaimed Jerusalem. Therefore, since then, we have simply been living in prophetic overtime. If you think it’s been a long time, you must realize that twenty-five years is miniscule in comparison to all eternity. Besides, a thousand years to the Lord is as a day (2Pe_3:8). Therefore, He’s only a minute or two overdue.

Luke 21:25

I read recently about the discovery of a black hole one hundred billion times the mass of the sun, a discovery some astronomers call “puzzling.” The Greek meaning of this phrase refers to the quagmires and quicksand that must be navigated to assist nations in political turmoil. There simply are no easy answers. Jesus said the perplexity and complexity of society will cause hearts to fail. We’re seeing that happen. Relatively unknown in the time of Jesus, linked to stress, heart disease is now a common cause of death in our culture. When we see these things happen, we shouldn’t be upsetwe should look up.

Luke 21:29

The fig tree in Scripture is the symbol of the nation Israel. Israel’s blossoming as a nation is one of the key signs that the Lord’s coming is drawing near. So is the blossoming of “all the trees"seen in the resurgence of nationalism in countries like Yugoslavia, the Balkans, and African nations.

Luke 21:32

Gideon’s three hundred mighty men were chosen because, rather than putting their faces in the river, they drank from their hands. This way, they could remain alert (Jdg_7:6). In other words, God uses men who don’t take unnecessary time doing necessary tasks. Yes, we have to live. Certainly, we must care for our families. But there can come a point when we take too much time doing necessary things. And that is the point we are disqualified from being used by God in these last days.

Luke 21:35

What are the Jews to pray to escape? The events of the Tribulation. How will they be counted worthy to escape? By acknowledging the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, as the only worthy One.

Luke 21:37

I can so easily be sucked into the cares of this life and bogged down by the things of this world. But when I study the words of Jesus, I am reminded of the big picture all over again. I am reminded that I’m only here for a short time. I am reminded of eternity. Every single believer who is hurting physically or emotionally, every single saint who is struggling financially will indeed be healed and freed incredibly. It might be tonight. It might be this week. It might be this year. It might be in heaven. But God’s promises to you will be kept perfectly if you don’t lose sight of the big picture. Spend consistent time with Jesus. Be like those in our text. Come early to hear Himand be reminded of heaven all over again.