Luke 21:1-19, The Unpalatable Gospel

In the midst of this coronavirus marathon we're in, I don't have a lot of capacity for more heavy.  Like it or not, Luke delivers, more specifically, Jesus delivers.

I'd rather hear his acknowledgement of the widow's offering a few verses earlier. Everyone likes to champion the underdog.  The Pulpit Commentary suggests that this was Jesus' last public teaching, "As far as we know, his comment upon the widow’s alms was his last word of public teaching."  If this is the case, I long to leave with the public in a sense.  

The hardest words are to come, and they are for us, believers and not outsiders. Couldn't we reverse that order? In Luke 21:5, Jesus shifts from commenting on the widow to a "brace yourself for impact" directive to the disciples.

What provokes the speech?  Some of them comment on the beauty and richness of the temple.  His response guts their romantic notions: 

"As for all these things which you see, the time will come when there will not be one stone left on another that will not be torn down."  Luke 21:6

If Anthony Fauci was considered the "skunk at the picnic," Jesus was certainly as much.

Ruble from the Second Temple at the Davidson Archeological Park, Jerusalem 
(Amanda Borschel-Dan/ToI) Source: The Times of Israel

War Within and Without:  Man vs. Man

"When you hear of wars and disturbances [civil unrest, revolts, uprisings], do not panic; for these things must take place first..." Luke 21:9

"Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom." Luke 21:10

Can we skip this season, Lord, and go straight to what comes second?

Imposter Saviors: Man vs. Man

 

"Be careful and see to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name [appropriating for themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me alone], saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near!' Do not follow them.  Luke 21:8

Natural Disasters: Man vs. Nature

"There will be violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and [deadly and devastating] pestilences (plagues, epidemics); and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven." Luke 21:11

Personal Threat: Man vs. Man

"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake." Luke 21:12

Intimate Threat: Man vs. His Family

"But you will be betrayed and handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be continually hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name."

Luke 21:16-17

Lord, what are we to think and do in response to this list?  

We are told not to prepare a defense beforehand (v.14) because he will provide words of wisdom none can refute (v.15).

We are told not a hair on our head will perish (v.18) but that some of us will be put to death (v.16).  It seems illogical.

The fruit of living through this?

"By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls." Luke 21:19

Lord, was this specific to the overthrow of Jerusalem? To the early Church?  Does it prophecy the future?

How do we weigh these words and respond to them with intellectual integrity and faith?  Just questions this morning...

And why, to what advantage is it, to know that these horrible things are coming?  You tell us each day has enough trouble of its own, yet there are these looming predictions.  I hate them.  I don't want to endure any of that except for the hope of v.19, "to gain your soul."

Nope, it's not something I can come to the bottom of in a morning. Not the way I'd like to start my day. It is offensive.

However, I think the larger question is not whether it offends me or us.  The larger question should be, "Is it true?"