Luke 21:13-15,18-19 Keep on Witnessing!
Notes
Transcript
Keep on Witnessing!
Keep on Witnessing!
,
,
The do's and don'ts of looking toward history's end (21:5-38). This might be a good title for Luke's report of Jesus' eschatological (end-times) teaching. Not all of them apply to you and me. But the ones that do, I want to mention them.
The do's and don'ts of looking toward history's end (21:5-38). This might be a good title for Luke's report of Jesus' eschatological (end-times) teaching. Not all of them apply to you and me. But the ones that do, I want to mention them.
(1) Don't be deceived (v. 8). Jesus' return won't be a secret. There's no need for us to set dates.
(1) Don't be deceived (v. 8). Jesus' return won't be a secret. There's no need for us to set dates.
(2) Don't be frightened (vv. 9-11). Human history will be filled with wars and disasters. How good to know God will look after His own.
(2) Don't be frightened (vv. 9-11). Human history will be filled with wars and disasters. How good to know God will look after His own.
(3) Don't worry about yourself when persecuted, but witness to your persecutors (vv. 12-16). After all, the folks in real trouble are the ones who oppress God's saints! Let the Spirit fill your mouth with words about Jesus and your hearts with love for your enemies.
(3) Don't worry about yourself when persecuted, but witness to your persecutors (vv. 12-16). After all, the folks in real trouble are the ones who oppress God's saints! Let the Spirit fill your mouth with words about Jesus and your hearts with love for your enemies.
(4) Don't give up, even when everyone seems to turn against you (vv. 17-19). Stand firm on the foundation of your faith in Jesus. Others can hate you. But they can't do you any lasting harm.
(4) Don't give up, even when everyone seems to turn against you (vv. 17-19). Stand firm on the foundation of your faith in Jesus. Others can hate you. But they can't do you any lasting harm.
(5) Do flee Jerusalem when it is besieged (vv. 20-24). This advice applied both to the Jews then living and to the lost who will dwell in the city as history's end draws near.
(5) Do flee Jerusalem when it is besieged (vv. 20-24). This advice applied both to the Jews then living and to the lost who will dwell in the city as history's end draws near.
(6) Do take heart when the universe itself shows massive destabilization (vv. 25-31). This is a sign that Christ is soon to appear and is a cause for believers to rejoice rather than fear.
(6) Do take heart when the universe itself shows massive destabilization (vv. 25-31). This is a sign that Christ is soon to appear and is a cause for believers to rejoice rather than fear.
(7) Do celebrate in the certainty that God's Word is trustworthy, however uncertain life may be (vv. 32-33). This reminder is for the last generation, but we can certainly take heart from it in our own hard times today.
(7) Do celebrate in the certainty that God's Word is trustworthy, however uncertain life may be (vv. 32-33). This reminder is for the last generation, but we can certainly take heart from it in our own hard times today.
(8) Do be watchful, pray, and persevere and so earn the approval of the Son of Man (vv. 34-36). Life here has its pressures, and many of them are intense. But let's keep our eyes on Jesus, and let nothing distract us from serving Him.
(8) Do be watchful, pray, and persevere and so earn the approval of the Son of Man (vv. 34-36). Life here has its pressures, and many of them are intense. But let's keep our eyes on Jesus, and let nothing distract us from serving Him.
I. Proclaiming during Persecution vs13-15
I. Proclaiming during Persecution vs13-15
The list of calamities depresses us until we come to verse 13.
The list of calamities depresses us until we come to verse 13.
a. Opportunity
a. Opportunity
These persecutions and arrests would give opportunity for witness. When the disciples were questioned about their beliefs and practices, they would have opportunity to testify for the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. Later, as Luke unveils the history of the Early Church in the Book of Acts, he shows how these words came to pass. Some of the disciples testified before the religious leaders. Others were brought before the Roman rulers. Paul had the opportunity to testify to Caesar himself. Thus history shows the truth of Jesus' prophecy.
Amidst all the turmoil the Lord says, “This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.” Huh! How often when you pray for opportunities to tell others about Jesus do you expect those opportunities to come in the form of persecution, mistreatment, war, and the like? If you are like me, I suspect you very seldom or never picture it that way. We tend to pray for the “easy button.” We imagine the tracks of our sharing are divinely oiled so that everything is smooth. There’s no friction or difficulty. We simply attend the family barbecue, someone asks us, “What must I do to be saved,” and then a revival breaks out! That would be nice, but that’s not how it happens. This text suggests we will attend the barbecue and all the food is gone, the fireworks have gotten wet, everyone is grumpy and complaining, and then you have an urge to speak of Jesus! So people begin to mock you as a “preacher.” Before you arrived they were “sippin’ on gin and juice.” Now you, the Christian, have come and ruined their fun. That’s how God more often than not answers your prayers for an opportunity to witness.
These persecutions and arrests would give opportunity for witness. When the disciples were questioned about their beliefs and practices, they would have opportunity to testify for the true Messiah, Jesus Christ. Later, as Luke unveils the history of the Early Church in the Book of Acts, he shows how these words came to pass. Some of the disciples testified before the religious leaders. Others were brought before the Roman rulers. Paul had the opportunity to testify to Caesar himself. Thus history shows the truth of Jesus' prophecy.
Amidst all the turmoil the Lord says, “This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.” Huh! How often when you pray for opportunities to tell others about Jesus do you expect those opportunities to come in the form of persecution, mistreatment, war, and the like? If you are like me, I suspect you very seldom or never picture it that way. We tend to pray for the “easy button.” We imagine the tracks of our sharing are divinely oiled so that everything is smooth. There’s no friction or difficulty. We simply attend the family barbecue, someone asks us, “What must I do to be saved,” and then a revival breaks out! That would be nice, but that’s not how it happens. This text suggests we will attend the barbecue and all the food is gone, the fireworks have gotten wet, everyone is grumpy and complaining, and then you have an urge to speak of Jesus! So people begin to mock you as a “preacher.” Before you arrived they were “sippin’ on gin and juice.” Now you, the Christian, have come and ruined their fun. That’s how God more often than not answers your prayers for an opportunity to witness.
Amidst all the turmoil the Lord says, “This will give you an opportunity to bear witness.” Huh! How often when you pray for opportunities to tell others about Jesus do you expect those opportunities to come in the form of persecution, mistreatment, war, and the like? If you are like me, I suspect you very seldom or never picture it that way. We tend to pray for the “easy button.” We imagine the tracks of our sharing are divinely oiled so that everything is smooth. There’s no friction or difficulty. We simply attend the family barbecue, someone asks us, “What must I do to be saved,” and then a revival breaks out! That would be nice, but that’s not how it happens. This text suggests we will attend the barbecue and all the food is gone, the fireworks have gotten wet, everyone is grumpy and complaining, and then you have an urge to speak of Jesus! So people begin to mock you as a “preacher.” Before you arrived they were “sippin’ on gin and juice.” Now you, the Christian, have come and ruined their fun. That’s how God more often than not answers your prayers for an opportunity to witness.
b. Opposition
b. Opposition
Beloved, we are salmon swimming upstream. The current of this chapter and of the world is against us. We are fighting against the rapids to make it home to Zion, and along the way we must convince some other fish to turn against the current and swim upstream with us. We will have to witness in the face of rushing opposition. The Lord calls us to this, but he does not leave us alone. He says to his disciples, “Don’t even think about what you will say. I will give you the words to speak at that time by the power of my Spirit.” The Lord promises the kind of wisdom their enemies cannot withstand. He promises betrayal, death, and universal hatred.
Beloved, we are salmon swimming upstream. The current of this chapter and of the world is against us. We are fighting against the rapids to make it home to Zion, and along the way we must convince some other fish to turn against the current and swim upstream with us. We will have to witness in the face of rushing opposition. The Lord calls us to this, but he does not leave us alone. He says to his disciples, “Don’t even think about what you will say. I will give you the words to speak at that time by the power of my Spirit.” The Lord promises the kind of wisdom their enemies cannot withstand. He promises betrayal, death, and universal hatred.
Family and Friends
Family and Friends
Jesus further warned that persecution and trouble would come not only from the crowds and governmental or religious officials but also from family and friends. Families would betray the disciples and some would even turn them over to be put to death. Jesus had said previously that He came not to unite, but to divide families, for some would not believe in Him (12:49ff.). Jesus received persecution from His own family members and betrayal from a disciple. Jesus showed that what He experienced would be normative for His disciples.
Jesus further warned that persecution and trouble would come not only from the crowds and governmental or religious officials but also from family and friends. Families would betray the disciples and some would even turn them over to be put to death. Jesus had said previously that He came not to unite, but to divide families, for some would not believe in Him (12:49ff.). Jesus received persecution from His own family members and betrayal from a disciple. Jesus showed that what He experienced would be normative for His disciples.
LIFE APPLICATION:
LIFE APPLICATION:
PAYING THE PRICE
PAYING THE PRICE
Has following Christ cost you? Have you lost friendships, business associates, promotions, or even relationships with family members because of your Christian faith and lifestyle? You are not alone. Throughout history, God's people have suffered great losses for the sake of their beliefs. Jesus even predicted that these things would happen. Of course, it hurts to be ridiculed and outright hated for what you believe. But if that is your experience, remember: you are in good company with countless of other Christians and with Jesus himself. Take the rejection of the world as a confirmation of your acceptance by the Lord.
Has following Christ cost you? Have you lost friendships, business associates, promotions, or even relationships with family members because of your Christian faith and lifestyle? You are not alone. Throughout history, God's people have suffered great losses for the sake of their beliefs. Jesus even predicted that these things would happen. Of course, it hurts to be ridiculed and outright hated for what you believe. But if that is your experience, remember: you are in good company with countless of other Christians and with Jesus himself. Take the rejection of the world as a confirmation of your acceptance by the Lord.
II. Predicted Promise for the Proclaimer vs18-19
II. Predicted Promise for the Proclaimer vs18-19
Then the Lord promises not a hair will be harmed on their heads (vv. 18-19). It’s a remarkable contrasting effect of persecution, famine, and death on the one hand, and not a single hair harmed on the other.
Then the Lord promises not a hair will be harmed on their heads (vv. 18-19). It’s a remarkable contrasting effect of persecution, famine, and death on the one hand, and not a single hair harmed on the other.
a. Earthly Life
a. Earthly Life
In Jesus’ words of comfort to disciples in times of trial in 12:4–7, having one’s hairs numbered by God does not mean that one is immune from being put to death. The sparrows are watched by God, but they still fall to the earth. The story in Acts reveals that some disciples will be protected; others will die at the hands of their oppressors. Stephen is stoned (); Peter and John are set free (4:1–31). James, the brother of John, is slain by Herod; Peter escapes Herod’s hands when he is liberated from jail by an angel (12:1–11). Paul experiences narrow escape after narrow escape, surviving stoning (14:19–20), beatings, mob action (21:27–32), shipwreck (27:4–44), and snakebite (28:3–6).
In Jesus’ words of comfort to disciples in times of trial in 12:4–7, having one’s hairs numbered by God does not mean that one is immune from being put to death. The sparrows are watched by God, but they still fall to the earth. The story in Acts reveals that some disciples will be protected; others will die at the hands of their oppressors. Stephen is stoned (); Peter and John are set free (4:1–31). James, the brother of John, is slain by Herod; Peter escapes Herod’s hands when he is liberated from jail by an angel (12:1–11). Paul experiences narrow escape after narrow escape, surviving stoning (14:19–20), beatings, mob action (21:27–32), shipwreck (27:4–44), and snakebite (28:3–6).
b. Eternal Life
b. Eternal Life
How do we hold those two things together? Because our lives are eternal, the losing of this earthly life means the passing into eternal life and glory. The promises of God are not bound by this world; they are not even primarily fulfilled in this world. So the promises of God in Christ cannot be taken by this world. That includes our lives. We may very well be taken in persecution or worse, but it will be gain for us ()! We may be persecuted or put to death, but we will not be truly harmed. If we witness to the end, we gain our lives ().
How do we hold those two things together? Because our lives are eternal, the losing of this earthly life means the passing into eternal life and glory. The promises of God are not bound by this world; they are not even primarily fulfilled in this world. So the promises of God in Christ cannot be taken by this world. That includes our lives. We may very well be taken in persecution or worse, but it will be gain for us ()! We may be persecuted or put to death, but we will not be truly harmed. If we witness to the end, we gain our lives ().
Christ-Centered Exposition - Exalting Jesus in Luke.
Bible Reader's Companion.
Complete Biblical Library Commentary - Luke.
Zondervan Exegetical Commentary - Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Luke.
Life Application Bible Commentary - Luke.