Friday
Read Luke 21:5-19
(Matt 24:1, 2; Mark 13:1, 2)
5 Some of the disciples were talking
about the Temple, how beautiful it looked with its fine stones and the gifts
offered to God. Jesus said, 6“All this you see—the time will come
when not a single stone here will be left in its place; every one will be
thrown down.”
(Matt 24:3–14; Mark 13:3–13)
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will
this be? And what will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to
take place?”
8 Jesus said, “Be on guard; don’t be
deceived. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’
and, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t follow them. 9Don’t be afraid
when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they
do not mean that the end is near.”
10 He went on to say, “Countries
will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. 11There
will be terrible earthquakes, famines, and plagues everywhere; there will be
strange and terrifying things coming from the sky. 12Before all
these things take place, however, you will be arrested and persecuted; you will
be handed over to be tried in synagogues and be put in prison; you will be
brought before kings and rulers for my sake. 13This will be your
chance to tell the Good News. 14Make up your minds beforehand not to
worry about how you will defend yourselves, 15because I will give
you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or
contradict what you say. 16You will be handed over by your parents,
your brothers, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to
death. 17Everyone will hate you because of me. 18But not
a single hair from your heads will be lost. 19Stand firm, and you
will save yourselves.
Think
The disciples are impressed by the wealth and beauty of the temple. As Jesus talks about the future for
Christians he points to something that will be the opposite of comfort and
glory. Persecution and struggle.
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