67: Secure Despite Circumstances (Luke 21:5-19) (2)

Seaworld - when I was still living with my folks went to sea world and during the hottest part of the day we went to the ski show. Before it started my Dad and went to get some beverages... “You did that on purpose!”

That circumstance wasn’t life threatening…just a little sticky. After ‘cooling off’ for a little while, Dad called me to him and told me ‘jackie, I forgive you.’ He reaffirmed His love for me despite this ‘wicked’ thing I had done to him…’on purpose’! :) I was secure despite the circumstances - wet, sticky, & funny as they were. But sometimes our circumstances are much more serious. Like the time I experienced my first car accident...

Car Wreck - I hit the brakes…there were none, pedal wen to the floor…Dad approached and asked, "Are you okay?" then pulled me to him and said, “The car can be fixed. You are what matters and I’m thankful you are okay.” Suddenly, all my fears faded, because my Dad was near. I was secure despite circumstances.

Tough times, difficult circumstances, WILL come to each of us - accidents, sickness, broken relationships, persecution & death, yet followers of Jesus have a great promise throughout the Scriptures…God is near. Listen to this great truth from Psalms 46.

Psalm 46:1–3 (NIV)

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

In times of trouble, when it all seems to be crashing down…He is our ever-present help! And those who LOVE our great God need to be encouraged with these words…

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR turn to someone and tell them…

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

Of course, those who DON’T love God have no such encouragement. If that’s you, it’s not that God doesn’t care or isn’t aware of your circumstances, it’s just that you can’t call the One you DONT TRUST your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

In today’s teaching, as Jesus is nearing the day of His crucifixion, He prepares His disciples for the difficult circumstances that were facing them in the near & far future…Yet through it all, there is the encouragement that they will be secure despite circumstances. Because that is true, followers of Jesus

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

Let’s PRAY and dig in.

Luke 21:5–7 (NIV)

5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

The temple in Jerusalem was an amazing structure. [NEW SLIDE] In Jesus’ day the temple had been under reconstruction for 46 years. After the 1st temple built by Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., the Jewish exiles were allowed to come back to Jerusalem where they built a second temple on the same site in 515 B.C, although not nearly as elaborate as Solomon’s temple.

King Herod began reconstructing that temple in 20 B.C. It continued over 30 years after the crucifixion of Jesus and was finally completed in A.D. 63. So the reconstruction of the Temple took 83 years and would be destroyed in A.D. 70, only 7 years after its completion. As you can see on the screen, Herod’s temple was MUCH GREATER in size and beauty than the 1st temple built by Solomon. (see comparison on screen)

The Jewish historian Josephus [NEW SLIDE], who lived from A.D. 37-100, writes about it’s grander. He mentions the size of the foundation’s stones being about 40 feet long, 12 feet high, & 18 feet wide - that’s as long as a city bus, a little higher, and much wider!

The temple was indeed a wonder.

Listen to Josephus describing it from a distance [NEW SLIDE]:

Now the outward face of the temple in its front wanted nothing that was likely to surprise either men’s minds or their eyes, for it was covered all over the plates of gold of great weight, and, at the first rising of the sun, reflected back a very fiery splendor, and made those who forced themselves to look upon it to turn their eyes away, just as they would have done at the sun’s own rays. But this temple appeared to strangers, when they were at a distance, like a mountain covered with snow; for, as to those parts of it that were not gilt [or covered in gold], they were exceeding white.

The Jews considered this temple to be the house of the ONE TRUE GOD. Yet Jesus had just told His disciples that it would be completely destroyed. How could God ever allow HIS HOUSE to be destroyed?

N.T. Wright pens these words:

This was as unthinkable for a devout Jew as it would be for an American to imagine the destruction of the White House, the Washington Memorial and the Statue of Liberty; only much more so, because the Temple signified a thousand years of God’s dealings with Israel.

Destruction of the Temple would mean

an end to the religious freedom the Jews had experienced under Roman occupation - no place for the nation of Israel to gather to worship Yahweh

an end to sacrifice for sin, as animals could only be sacrificed at the temple

& the slaughter of a tremendous number Jews in & around the city.

Mark tells us more about the disciples’ question: ‘when will these things happen?’

Mark 13:3–4 (NIV)

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

What amazes me about their response is how they received what Jesus said without asking why or doubting that it would happen. Jesus had many times condemned the leadership of the temple and warned people that their rejection of Him would bring harsh judgment. Now Jesus shares how that will impact His disciples. And this is key in interpreting this passage - asking this simple question: Who is YOU? So far ‘you’ is the audience Jesus has been speaking to - at least 4 of His disciples - Peter, James, John, & Andrew.

Luke 21:8 (NIV)

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

Who is YOU? Who is Jesus giving warning to at this point? His disciples. Why do I keep making this point? Here’s why: we have a tendency to dismiss the original audience & transplant the text into our world.

But Jesus was warning His 1st century disciples that there would come a time during THEIR lives that false messiahs would appear and claim the end was near. They weren’t to follow these men and would certainly warn their disciples of the same thing.

According to Josephus, there WERE false messiahs who popped out years after the ministry of Jesus.

For example,

Theudas, appeared when the governor was Fadus (F-A-D not F-A-T ‘fatus’ would be funny). That was from A.D. 44–46. He called people to the Jordan River wilderness with the promise that he would divide the Jordan like Joshua and begin a new conquest of the land like Joshua of old did.

Several others between A.D. 52–59 also led crowds into the wilderness with promises of signs and wonders. Still another showed up during the term of Festus (A.D. 60-62) who promised promising deliverance from Roman rule for those who would follow him into the wilderness.

Later, another false messiah called Manahem ben Judah showed up during the term of Florus (a.d. 64–66). He came to Jerusalem “like a king” and laid siege to the city in an attempt to take it from the Romans.

The disciples of Jesus weren’t to follow them.

But there would be more signs before the destruction of the temple.

Luke 21:9-11 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

This is where it gets weird. Many who read these words of Jesus IN OUR DAY point to a war, an earthquake, a famine, a deadly disease, or the latest ‘blood moon’ prophecy and say, “Here it comes. The end of the world is near! This is what Jesus said would happen!”

But wait a second…who is YOU in this passage?

To whom is Jesus first saying, “Do not be frightened”? The disciples on top of the Mount of Olives who have asked about WHEN THE TEMPLE WOULD BE DESTROYED.

Don’t forget that context!

While wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, & great signs from heaven might very well happen before the return of Jesus, Jesus is still telling the apostles what THEY can expect.

In fact, there is ONE PHRASE that Jesus will later use that will make this crystal clear. We will cover it in the next couple of weeks. If you want to peek…continue through verse 32.

Just like the false messiahs during the days of the apostles, there were wars, earthquakes, famines, diseases, and great signs from heaven…DURING the generation of the disciples.

FAMINE

For example, Acts 11:28 tells us of a believer named Agabus. who foretold the four year famine from A.D. 44-48 that came during the reign of Emperor Claudius.

WAR

"During the Roman Civil Wars of AD 68–69 several nations revolted in an attempt to leave the Empire. The Roman historian Tacitus mentions the Gallic provinces, Britain, Germany, and several others. It literally was a time of “nation against nation.” While Jesus’ day is a time of great peace in the Roman Empire known as the pax Romana, He warned that wars and rumors of wars will disrupt it.

But then the talk got personal. Jesus speaks to His precious disciples about the circumstances they will face in the future…difficult circumstances. Yet here’s why Jesus tells them about it beforehand. From Jesus’ words they are encouraged…

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

Luke 21:12–13 (NIV)

12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.

Reading this helps remind us of the context. Again, you and I aren’t promised we will be brought before synagogues, kings and governors, or put in prison. But this is EXACTLY what the Scripture says happened to Peter & John in Acts 4-5…all 4 of the men sitting on the Mount of Olives hearing these words from Jesus…EXPERIENCED what He said they would experience.

And yet Jesus encouraged them that they would be secure despite circumstances.

Luke 21:14-15 (NIV) 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

And sure enough, Peter & John stand before the high priests who handed Jesus over for crucifixion. Just as Jesus had done, their words and wisdom couldn’t be refuted by their adversaries. Acts 4:8 says Peter was filled with the Spirit as he spoke and here’s the response of his adversaries:

Acts 4:13 (NIV) 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

How did they have such courage?…and who was it they so reminded the high priests of? Oh yeah…JESUS! They were secure despite circumstances. Jesus DID give them the words to say and they learned what God wants us to learn today.

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

Later in Acts chapter 5 we see that this didn’t mean the apostles would be protect FROM persecution, but would be protected THROUGH persecution. In Acts 5 all the apostles are flogged…a detail mentioned in Mark 13:9 - the parallel to this passage. What Jesus told THEM would happen to THEM…did!

But there’s more. It won’t just be enemies who come against them, but even people they love - family & friends. Can you imagine that?

16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

Will YOU be faithful even if family & friends turn against you…or will you cower to their will? Following Jesus didn’t mean everyone would like them…it meant that many would hate them.

Ultimately, it would cost most of them their lives - killed for following Jesus. “They will put some of you to death.” Again, Acts - Luke’s sequel - demonstrates how this played out. James, the brother of John, who was sitting with Jesus when He said these words on the Mount of Olives was killed by King Herod according to Acts 12:2.

But take note of this strange promise Jesus makes, they will put some of you to death… But not a hair of your head will perish.

How could this be? James was beheaded while others were later crucified, impaled, or stoned to death. What does Jesus mean by not a hair of your head will perish?

Jesus is NOT talking about protecting them from earthly death, but giving them eternal life.

SO, they are secure despite circumstances. They…

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

And if you’re a follower of Jesus, neither should you.

Persecution will certainly come - from enemies or from family & friends. Persecution is a promise that applies to every believer as Paul writes, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12) If you walk with Jesus for years and NEVER get mistreated…you’re not doing it right! Yet when persecuted for your faith…

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

Like the apostles, we might experience wars, earthquakes, famine, pestilence, fearful events, & great signs from heaven. Yet we are secure despite circumstances.

David Platt tells the story of John Paton (1824–1907), relatively unknown among Christians today. He served for 10 years as the pastor of a growing Scottish church, but God began to burden his heart for the New Hebrides [hea-bra-deeze], a group of Pacific islands filled with cannibalistic peoples and no knowledge of the gospel.

He set his heart on one island in particular. 20 years earlier two missionaries had gone to that island. They were killed and cannibalized. So it was no surprise that many dissuaded Paton from even the thought of following in these missionaries’ footsteps. Paton wrote,

“Amongst many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, ‘The Cannibals! you will be eaten by Cannibals!’”

John Paton replied to this man,

“Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.”

The old man left the room, exclaiming, “After that I have nothing more to say!”

At the age of 33, John Paton traveled to the New Hebrides with his wife. The journey was not easy. His wife and newborn child died within months after arriving, and he found himself alone, digging their graves with his bare hands. He faced threat after threat upon his life. But in the years to come, countless cannibals across the New Hebrides came to know the peace of Christ, and the church across Australia, Scotland, and the Western world was challenged to rise up and make the gospel known among the peoples who are toughest to reach.

Oh that we could live like that!

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEARBIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

BIG TRUTH: Don’t live in FEAR, when God is NEAR

Is God dealing with your heart right now? What is He wrestling with over? What is sitting on the throne of your soul?

Would you give Him your fear…your sin…your life?

Then you too can claim the words of Psalm 46:1-3 and be secure despite circumstances.

Psalm 46:1–3 (NIV)

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

PRAY