Day 86

Memorize: Temple destruction is foretold Luke 21

Key Verses: 4, 7, 9, 12, 18, 20, 27-28, 33,

God doesn’t like leftovers! He doesn’t want us to be generous for show. He expects us to give everything, with abandon. This widow is contrasted with the rich. What I find surprising is that the rich have not changed. If you look at the percentage of wealth given, the rich give almost nothing to help others. It is the poor, middle class who do most of the giving. I am appalled when I hear about the lack of giving by those in leadership in our nation, a few percent of their millions. They call for sacrifice, but they do not lead by example. Hypocrisy.

Disciples ask when Jerusalem is going to be destroyed and what they should look for as signs that it is about to happen. Jesus starts His answer by giving a caution about deceivers claiming special knowledge. The greatest danger is that we get sidetracked from the high calling in Christ Jesus. It is too easy to get caught up in the things of this life, human wisdom. Jesus warns us. Then He gives a quick list of signs that signal Jerusalem’s destruction.

But before all these signs happen the disciples themselves will be tested. It would be easy to sit around and be a sign watcher, and not live the life Jesus calls us to live. Jesus is concerned that His disciples will get sidetracked by the coming persecution, a persecution that will brings death to most of them. But Jesus says that even in death there will be protection. He says that not even a hair on their heads will be hurt, a figurative way to say that the destruction of this physical world will not impact eternity.

Jesus returns to the signs by telling them that Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. Fear will abound. But they don’t need to fear. Jesus is coming back. His word will happen. We are to be watching, aware of our surroundings, the happenings in the world, with our priorities heavenward. If we don’t keep focused, we will get weighed down. Even if we are killed in the process, Jesus will protect our eternity. We can’t lose the most important thing, eternal life, by the destruction of this physical world. Even if we are killed for our faith, Jesus has secured heaven for us.