Luke 21:5-9

Luke 21:5-9 

English Standard Version 

  It's hard to see landmarks struck down.  25 years later, it was still difficult to remember the terrible events of 9/11.  We look at the pictures of those towers and think about what they meant and the tragedy of their loss -- in so many ways, it has shaped the last few decades of American life.  We remember what things were like before that awful day.

  For those around Jesus, it was tremendously hard to hear them talk about the destruction of the temple.  The temple was massive and magnificent and the center of religious life.  They didn't want to think about life without it.  Tragically, that would be destroyed by the Roman army in 70 AD when they devastated Jerusalem.  

  Jesus doesn't want us to set all our hopes and dreams on temporary things.  The Kingdom of God is eternal, and we are to focus all of our aspirations on that Kingdom, for it cannot be taken, cannot be shaken.  Our hopes and dreams are safe there.  If we run in fear at each person who speaks of the end, then we'll be darting through shadows, unable to live as Christ calls us to live.  

  So may we boldly focus ourselves on Christ and his Kingdom, and strive to live in such a way that brings glory to God but doesn't chase every rumor and run in fear from every power in this world.  Remember, every knee shall bow before Christ the Lord. 

Black Belt Tests and the Gospel

Luke 21:1-4

Luke 21:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  I've always thought it was interesting that Jesus sat around with the disciples and watched people put their offerings into the box.  It's not what I would expect -- and I wonder how I would feel about it if I were making an offering.  Regardless, what happens here is interesting -- for all the gifts that Jesus watched go into the offering box, it was this one small gift that elicited a remarkable comment.  Jesus called out this woman who contributed a meaningful gift into the box.  Not out of her abundance, but out of her meager possessions.

  Jesus clearly cares about how we give.  Do we stretch?  Does it hurt a little?  That seems to be where Jesus is pointing us -- to thinking about financial giving as a meaningful part of our life.  He doesn't tell everyone to give everything away, but to think about what we have and give generously.

Luke 20:45-47

Luke 20:45-47 

English Standard Version

  Jesus is warning his disciples about the dangers of using spiritual leadership for personal gain that is driven by exploiting others.  This is not the last time that the church needs to hear these warnings... as we grow closer to Reformation Sunday, Martin Luther's warnings about indulgences, which prey on the fears of the poor to drive financial collections for the church, fit in with Jesus' words here.  God cares about what we use our influence to achieve.  If we're focused on what we get out of it... then that will corrupt us over time.  Some more quickly than others, but greed will consume us.  If we can focus on the Kingdom, however, and use our prayers to serve the glories of God's Kingdom, then God is glorified and the church is strengthened.  

  It's not a choice we make one time.  Those who are corrupted are often done so through a series of small decisions, many of which seem inconsequential.  As CS Lewis says, we have to think about them over the course of eternity.  Which direction are we trending?  The smallest of decisions, when amplified over an eternal time frame, can shape our hearts in ways we don't fully comprehend.  

  So may we spend time examining our decisions and watching our own hearts, praying for humility and thinking deeply about how we serve Christ's church and the members of it.