Luke 21-22:1-38

Luke 21

Olivet Discourse

The Widow's Offering (vv. 1–4)

Rich and a poor widow giving at the temple treasury

The widow gives two mites — Jesus declares she gave more than all others, since she gave out of her poverty, not her surplus

[vv. 5-28 Jesus prophesies the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem that will happen in AD 70 and His return]

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold (vv. 5–6)

Disciples admire the temple's beauty and adornments

Jesus predicts total destruction — not one stone left on another

Signs of the End of the Age (vv. 7–19)

Disciples ask when this will happen and what signs to watch for

Jesus warns: don't be deceived by false messiahs or panic at wars and upheaval — these must happen first

Nation will rise against nation; earthquakes, famines, plagues, and fearful cosmic signs

Before all this: persecution, arrests, betrayals — even by family members

Promise: his followers will be given words and wisdom that cannot be refuted

"Not a hair of your head will perish" — endurance leads to life

Jerusalem's Destruction Foretold (vv. 20–24)

When armies surround Jerusalem, flee — this is the time of judgment

Great distress for pregnant and nursing mothers; people will fall by the sword or be taken captive

Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled

The Coming of the Son of Man (vv. 25–28)

Cosmic signs in sun, moon, and stars; nations in anguish and perplexity

The Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory

When these things begin, "lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near"

The Parable of the Fig Tree (vv. 29–33)

When trees bud, you know summer is near — so when you see these things, know the kingdom is near

"This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place"

Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus' words never will

Luke 21:31 “31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.”

This chapter is meant to give confidence in the face of everything happening. Confidence in Jesus as the WORD over the words Jesus is speaking

The Call to Watchfulness (vv. 34–38)

Luke 21:34 “34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”

Warning against being weighed down by carousing, drunkenness, and anxiety

That day will come suddenly like a trap on all who dwell on the earth

Luke 21:36 “36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

"Stay awake at all times, praying for strength to escape and to stand before the Son of Man"

Summary note: Jesus teaching daily in the temple, nights on the Mount of Olives

I’m not going to go into a lot of detail this morning. There are plenty of Ralph Sexton’s sermons we’ve heard and you can find online that talk about signs and rumors.

My intention isn’t to disagree with any of the prophesy talk that we always hear, especially after things happen in the news that seem to line up.

I just think Jesus himself draws our attention to my conviction at the end of the chapter: Trust in the LORD, remain prayerfully watchful, continue to work for the kingdom until the day Jesus gets back or we go hom

Luke 22

The Plot to Kill Jesus

Luke 22:1–6 KJV

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

The Passover Meal

Luke 22:7–13 KJV

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

The Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which at present falls between March 26 and April 25

a name given to the festival established in commemoration of he coming forth out of Egypt, Exodus 12:1–51

On the fourteenth day of this month, between the two evenings, they were to kill the paschal lamb, and to abstain from leavened bread.

The day following, being the fifteenth, reckoned from six o’clock of the preceding evening, was the grand feast of the Passover, which continues seven days, usually called “the days of unleavened bread,” or “the Passover,”

In His sovereign providence, Jesus tells them to go and prepare, but Jesus has already prepared. He told them exactly who and what they would see in the precise moment they entered into Jerusalem

The Lord’s Supper

Luke 22:14–23 KJV

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

Here, Passover was both a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt, and a prophetic type of the sacrifice of Christ.

It will be the model the Lord uses when He institutes Communion, or the Lord’s Supper through Paul in 1 Corinthians 11

Jesus will try to prepare them for what’s coming. Hebrew idiom, “I have desired with desire,” means “eagerly desired”

Jesus knows that his earthly ministry is drawing to a close and only the future great messianic banquet table (Rev. 19 “marriage supper of the lamb”) will permanently and physically unite them again.

He knows that the Passover will not touch his lips again until the promise is fulfilled with the consummation of the kingdom of God

Jesus tells them the one that will betray him is there at the table. And woe unto him.

My humanity and the damage the fall caused keeps me from even hoping to understand, but God’s sovereignty DOES NOT do violence to the will of man. Judas was and forever will be judged for trading 30 pieces of silver for the life of the Savior of the redeemed

Who Is Greatest?

Luke 22:24–30 KJV

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. 28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

the argument had existed Luke 9:46 “46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.” And Jesus addresses them now.

benefactors is a term used by the heathen rulers of both Egypt and Syria, the intent to portray themselves as champions of their people. The title says “look at ME”.

Christians are to be the opposite.

the greatest take the younger or lowliest place. Servant leadership. The example is the guest of honor at the dinner getting up and washing the guests feet (John 13).

29: I appoint you: Jesus tells them there is coming a kingdom on earth but not like they think. Won’t be overthrowing Rome, instead after His death, resurrection, and return they will have a part in it.

Luke 22:31–34 KJV

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Jesus goes back to his old name to intensify the warning to him AND US about the overconfidence Peter’s about to show.

This exchange ought to make every one of us humble.

Instead of “Lord, I guarantee I’ll follow you to death” we ought to be “Lord, is it me that will betray you?”

Luke 22:35–38 KJV

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Like Eddie said last week, it’s easy for us to see some application in the 2nd amendment here

But specifically, He’s drawing their attention to the peril of the time they are in.

Before, Jesus was on earth with them and provided supernatural care

From here on out He tells them to use the normal means to provide provision and protection

Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12 “12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus is clearly and plainly associating his death as the substitutionary atonement of men’s souls

Jesus doesn’t finish with “2 swords is enough” rather “enough of this talk”

Conclusion

The Baptist Catechism (Keach’s)

Q. 101. What is the Lord’s Supper?

A. The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ, wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is showed forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporeal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.

Q. 102. Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?

A. Godly persons who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works.

Q. 103. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper.

A. It is required of them that would worthily (that is, suitably,) partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge, to discern the Lord’s body; of their faith, to feed upon him; of their repentance, love, and new obedience: lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 “23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”