Future Days: Jesus Prepares His People for Hardship
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Intro: What should we expect in the Christian life? Smooth sailing? Just put your faith in Jesus and all your problems will go away?
No, what you can expect is to be desperately dependent on Jesus to get you through living like Jesus in a world rebelling against God’s authority. We can expect that Christians of every generation will face hardship and will need to lead holy lives to draw attention to Christ. But we live with joy and hope, knowing that, because we have gained God through faith in Jesus, we will be found in him at the second coming of our Lord!
Preparation for hardship and readiness for Christ’s second coming introduces the whole section of Luke 21:5-38, which we can only cover in part this time. This segment of Jesus’ teaching is often called the Olivet Discourse, or I might name it his Eschatological Discourse (discussion of future things).
Luke summarizes the discourse in some places, where Mark has a little more detail (Mark 13), and Matthew substantially more (Matt 24 & 25) because he includes some parables Jesus used for illustration. The bulk of the material is nearly identical (with slight variation in wording), and we’ll note a detail here and there from the synoptic parallels, but we’re of course camping out in the text in Luke as we journey through that gospel.
Jesus has just finished a series of confrontations with the spiritual leaders in Israel (during this final week before his crucifixion), and now the focus of discussion shifts toward future things.
And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
What launches the conversation forward into eschatology (future things), is the commentary by some disciples about the impressiveness of the temple grounds, which leads Jesus to describe a future destruction of this temple structure.
That reference to the temple being destroyed leads to questions about when and what signs, which Jesus uses as opportunity to discuss what to expect in the nearer future destruction of Jerusalem (which takes place in 70AD) and then in the final days before his return (the end time). Most significantly, though, Jesus tells them how they ought to live in light of the certainty of such events.
Here’s what you can expect, and here’s how you should live. It will not be easy, but in Christ you will make it through to glory.
One more thing as we jump into more specifics: It is helpful for us to note that Jesus does not talk about these things chronologically, but thematically. This is true with both main elements in the discourse—future things depicted and the suffering of his people described—they cover near and far future fulfillment.
What will happen to the things of this world, even to Israel’s magnificent temple and city?
What will happen to the things of this world, even to Israel’s magnificent temple and city?
*** (and see v. 33… city destroyed)
This glorious temple will be torn down - When? What signs? (they ask)
The destruction of 70AD was God’s Judgment on Israel (Luke 19:44, “because you did not know the time of your visitation”).
And the point of the ensuing discussion (the whole thing, not just our verses for today) is that yes believers will know it when it happens (difficult to miss), and most importantly that Christ’s people need to be ready—ready for hardship, and ready for his return.
Instead of answering the questions directly, Jesus does do so indirectly, though not as specifically as they would like, no doubt.
How should Jesus’ followers respond to grand claims and great calamities?
How should Jesus’ followers respond to grand claims and great calamities?
- (v. 8) Do not be led astray (by anyone else claiming to be Messiah or messiah-like, or claiming to know the time)...
- (v. 9) Do not be terrified (these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once)
(tumult - violent group disturbance caused by insurrection or rioting)
Why should we not fear? (We could go many places for scriptural reminders, but consider comfort from Paul in Romans 8 alone.)
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
[repeat question] Trust the Lord. Stay calm, and stand firm. (Stay calm - Do not overreact. … Stand firm - Do not waiver from what you know is true, from the One who is your confidence.)
[transition] The previous verse ends with “but the end will not be at once.”
What should believers expect in the world and in their lives in the interim?
What should believers expect in the world and in their lives in the interim?
-International wars and major natural disasters (vv. 10-11)
(pestilences/plagues - the sense is an epidemic disease with a high death rate, as well as a destructive plagues of pests)
(the reference to “terrors and great signs from heaven” indicates ominous things that tend to cause dread and awe) - And these are not yet ones that arise to the level of similar but much more intense things to take place near to the very end of this age. (In the same context as Luke’s vv. 21-28, Mark and Matthew record Jesus as saying this of the last tribulation: (also Mt. 24:21)
For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.
So back in Luke 21, vv. 8,9,10,&11 all speak of things that are ongoing throughout history, that are similar to the end, but not nearly to the same degree (even the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem will be an example of this).
-(but before all this… in the even nearer future) You Can Expect Persecution (v. 12)
(persecute is to cause suffering, whether physically or emotionally… hand you over to synagogues is a reference to delivering them to local religious authorities, and to imprisonment [and we can’t help but think of these things taking place exactly as Jesus said, which Luke records in the book of Acts] for doing nothing other than preaching Christ… And does it end with local scuffles and imprisonment? No, some would be led away to be questioned before kings and other great rulers. It took place just as Jesus predicted, and the Apostle Paul would become the prime example in his missionary travels of repeatedly suffering all these things… one who himself, before dramatic transformation in Christ, was a fervent persecutor of the church.)
Even if Jesus speaks here to his first generation of followers, these types of things described are not unique to only the original disciples - Paul would tell Timothy to prepare himself and others that there would be times of persecution for the church - 2 Tim 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
Back in Luke 21, in both v. 12 & v. 17, note that this suffering and persecution is for “my name’s sake.” Such persecution of believers should only come For His Name’s Sake—not because of wrongdoing, and not for selfish reasons. We should never supposedly be ‘persecuted’ for what is actually selfishly motivated in our hearts. Such does not honor Christ… does not glorify God.
We strive to live peaceful and godly lives without unnecessary conflict with governing authorities, but such is not always possible, when they are out to get you for simply worshipping God and preaching Christ. In such cases, for the sake of his great name is the very reason that you respond to opposition in the way described in the following verses (13-15).
How should Christ’s people react when persecuted?
How should Christ’s people react when persecuted?
Jesus says, with positive connotation, this will lead to/produce/result in bearing testimony with your lives.
So here’s the first thought for how you should respond:
-Consider suffering and persecution an opportunity to testify (in word and behavior—a witness to Christ, the hope of glory in you... a chance to verbally testify concerning Jesus before your enemies). Suffering and persecution are opportunities… to grow in Christlikeness, to experience God’s grace through greater dependence on him, to look like Jesus before those watching to see if he really changes people, and to verbally and publicly profess the gospel, to confess that Jesus is Lord. There could be nothing more worthy of suffering for, of living for, and of giving your life in the cause of.
-Secondly, (Settle it in your minds ahead of time) Do not worry and overthink what you will say when brought before them. Trust Christ, by his Holy Spirit, to be your strength and wisdom for how to answer.
And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
(back in Luke 21:15) “I will give you…!” mouth and wisdom that they can’t withstand or contradict. In other words, they will have to lie and malign you, and you will speak honestly and wisely in such a way that honors God and proves justice. Therefore their treatment of you will be unjust and heap condemnation on their own heads. Your conscience will be clear and the gospel will be clear! - Thank you, Lord, that through your Holy Spirit God promises to be with us and in us (Jn 14:16-17).
(In the Bible) No one said this would be easy.
(In the Bible) No one said this would be easy.
Nothing about vv. 16&17 sounds easy.
-Possibly betrayed by family and friends
-Potentially martyred (the meaning of the word martyr literally stems from this idea of giving up your life in testimony of faith).
-Hated by everyone [hyberbole]... who doesn’t love and fear God on his terms (Jesus is Lord!) … who won’t bow to the Lordship of Jesus.
You know, by God’s grace revealed to you and in you, what they do not know. That God the Son willingly came as a man, instead of clinging to his eternal glory, made himself nothing and took the form of a slave by comparison, born in the likeness of men (Php 2:6-7). And that he humbly and obediently submitted to the will of the Father and died on a cross to pay for sin (Php 2:8).
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So Paul can say (in the same letter) with all sincerity of his own present imprisonment and various sufferings at many times for the name of Jesus Christ,
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
So, no one said this would be easy. In fact, Jesus himself said that it would not be. HOWEVER…
But in Christ you will ultimately make it through to glory.
But in Christ you will ultimately make it through to glory.
-Our text says “But not a hair on your head will perish.” -again, hyperbole, as a metaphorical statement to comfort them that their ultimate salvation is sure and secure
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
-By your endurance you will gain your lives. - (Gk. hypomonē, “endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, patience”) “Through endurance believers will gain their lives (that is, will be enabled to partake of the full benefits of final salvation in the end times.” -Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2003.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
***
How should you think about the hard truth of the fallen world around you, the real suffering that we all face, and the meaninglessness, ultimately, of all pursuits that are limited to this world? What are we to think of Christians being unfairly treated for simply obeying Jesus?
Welcome to the blood-stained and joy-soaked Christian life.
Welcome to the blood-stained and joy-soaked Christian life.
We have it backwards when we think that God exists to do our pleasure and to make us comfortable in our present existence. ***
Pleasure in God is eternal. And that relationship to God is mediated to us through Jesus Christ. In him is peace, purpose, meaning, identity, and joy. In him is growth toward greater holiness. In him is power to persevere.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Such is our forward-looking hope and confidence in the face of suffering and persecution.
Jesus never said living in a fallen world would be easy. Jesus never said the Christian life would be easy. In fact, he said precisely the opposite. But he promised to be with us, to give us what we need, and to bring us home.
Remember, through faith in Jesus, your life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). And
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Because God has bought you and made you his own with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:19), the struggle for holiness is worth it, and the suffering for his name’s sake is worth it. … It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
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