DEVOTION BY KIM AND ALDEN SENTENEY
Wow, to be one of Jesus’ disciples this week! The concern, the fear, the uncertainty they must have felt as each day passed.
In Luke 21, as they talked about the magnificence of the Temple, Jesus unexpectedly told them that this beautiful central place of worship would not last forever and would be destroyed with “not one stone left on another.” What did Jesus mean? His answers weren’t fully understood because these young men had never experienced what was about to happen—no one had.
Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple, and so much more that his followers tried to understand, but couldn’t. He talked about wars and insurrections, earthquakes and plagues, trials and persecution. But in the midst of all of that, he reminded them: “… don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!”
LUKE 21:14-15
And then he said “In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.“ Jesus wanted them to understand that in all these things, God is in control. He is in control of our lives and in control of the arc of history.
Although these things must have seemed harsh to those who heard them, the disciples could find confidence in knowing that God has a plan, and that these events are part of that plan. Jesus reminded them, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
LUKE 21:28,31
Wow, to be one of Jesus’ disciples this week! The concern, the fear, the uncertainty they must have felt as each day passed.
In Luke 21, as they talked about the magnificence of the Temple, Jesus unexpectedly told them that this beautiful central place of worship would not last forever and would be destroyed with “not one stone left on another.” What did Jesus mean? His answers weren’t fully understood because these young men had never experienced what was about to happen—no one had.
Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple, and so much more that his followers tried to understand, but couldn’t. He talked about wars and insurrections, earthquakes and plagues, trials and persecution. But in the midst of all of that, he reminded them: “… don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!”
LUKE 21:14-15
And then he said “In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.“ Jesus wanted them to understand that in all these things, God is in control. He is in control of our lives and in control of the arc of history.
Although these things must have seemed harsh to those who heard them, the disciples could find confidence in knowing that God has a plan, and that these events are part of that plan. Jesus reminded them, “So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”