TODAY’S INTRO
Sorry for posting this late. The combination of being exhausted and having workers arrive at our house early kept me from my normal early AM writing.
Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday at church- joining our brothers and sisters all over the world in that celebration. I pointed out the reality that in Luke, there was no mention of Palms being spread on the ground. In Luke, what people put on the ground was the “coat off their back”- something that is far more sacrificial that ripping off a part of a tree! Are we willing to give the coat off our back/to sacrifice to see Jesus’ mission advance in this day and age?
I like the Lukan version of Palm Sunday much better for radical generosity and concern for others goes much further in building the world God intends. Today, we find Jesus in the temple teaching. Like a conference where you are spellbound by the presentations, the crowds listen all day and are eager to return the next day. Read on friends.
TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 21:5- 37
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’
7 They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ 8And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”* and, “The time is near!”* Do not go after them.
9 ‘When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.’ 10Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
12 ‘But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; 15for I will give you words* and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17You will be hated by all because of my name. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.
20 ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.* 21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; 22for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfilment of all that is written. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; 24they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’
29 Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34 ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’
37 Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. 38And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple.
TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Have you ever tried to carry and elephant? The average weight of an adult African elephant is 4.6 tons (9,200 pounds). Of course, we have never literally carried an elephant but so many of us carry on “spiritual and emotional elephants”. Worry and stress and the concerns of everyday living have a weight that can be back breaking for so many.
People say things that offend us or they are quick to complain or quick to find fault and it can quickly derail us from living the faith. What Jesus reminds tells us today is that “life is not easy” and you will need strength beyond yourself. Jesus doesn’t promise that the problems of life will go away or the pessimistic and angry people will disappear. He simply promises to provide for us and to carry the weight for us. Endurance in life comes from saying to God- “I can only go so far in being faithful. I can’t take another step without you.”
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