Luke 21:10–15

Luke 21:10-15 

English Standard Version 

  Christianity isn't always setting up for the most positive publicity.  The prosperity Gospel always amuses me -- preachers proclaim that being a Christian will set you up for success and fame and wealth, and then I read the Gospels... and it seems to offer a different kind of world vision, one that recognizes the reality of suffering and pain and struggles.  Jesus doesn't shrink from any of this.  It's part of a broken world.  What Jesus does assure us is that when we are caught up in the midst of it, the Holy Spirit will give us the words to proclaim the Truth in the midst of it all.  He tells us not to get caught up in planning ahead of time, but rather to trust that God will be near.

  When there is strife in the world, Jesus has not abandoned us, or the world.  I don't claim to understand the plan, but I trust in God, and so may we faithfully follow Christ through whatever is next, taking life one step at a time, trusting God to give us what we need for today, for this moment.

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.