Devotional Commentary

But it will turn out to be an opportunity for you to testify.

Luke 21:13

Christians should always be looking for an opportunity to share their faith. The world is lost and without a legitimate hope, so we must share the hope within us.

What better time for a genuine testimony than when we are persecuted? A testimony at such a time will not be ineffective.

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to bear the message of Your Son to this world. Oh may we do it faithfully! What a joy it is to know the good news and to be privileged to share it! I will praise You forever for Your wisdom in Your plan. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

But before all these things they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, betraying you to synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors on account of My Name.

Luke 21:12

This especially addresses the early persecutions of the church. But, this has been the experience of true Christianity throughout history. This persecution is specifically for preaching and teaching in the Name of Christ.

Heavenly Father, may we be always worthy of You! We can never thank You enough for allowing us to be involved in the ministry of the gospel. Thank You for helping us when we are attacked for preaching the gospel. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

There shall be large earthquakes in many places, and famines, and plagues. There shall be terrible sights and loud signs from heaven.

Luke 21:11

It is not surprising that Jesus would know so much about the future. But it is remarkable and amazing. Though He is speaking of things mentioned also in the Revelation account, He is referring to many events that have taken place at various times in history since His time here on earth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your many blessings on us! How can we ever thank You enough? Even in loss or pain we are reminded of Your power and goodness. Thank You for the love that You have towards us! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Then He said to them, “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

Luke 21:10

There has actually been quite an interesting balance of power in the history of the world. No one kingdom or people have been in control of the world in anything like a permanent way. This lack of unity under a single banner is by design and started way back with the Tower of Babel.

One day the world will unite only briefly under the antichrist. But then, after the judgment of the devil, Jesus will rule a unified world for 1000 years.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wise superintending of all the events of this life. You are so powerful and Your plan will never be frustrated. We are so blessed to be Your servants and we rejoice in Your great love and grace! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

And whenever you hear of battles and insurrections, do not be frightened; for these things must take place first, but the end is not immediate.

Luke 21:9

Jesus is here sharing that there would be political unrest at various times and in various places. But this should not be taken to indicate the end of the world has come.

The word Jesus uses here where He says ‘do not be frightened’ is unique. It is not the standard ‘do not fear’ that we usually see. It seems He is reassuring them that although some fearful situations will occur, they need not be terrified as if these things mean the end is already here.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Bible prophecy! It gives us reassurance and help. We are blessed and it is a mercy to know what our future holds. Thank You for guiding us by Your Spirit. You are wise and loving. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise You, Amen.

And He said: See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my Name, claiming, ‘I AM’ and, ‘The time has come near.’ Therefore, do not go out after them.

Luke 21:8

Jesus’s answer here in Luke begins with a tipoff that He is going to share some warnings about the future. They had asked Him to share the future with them, and He was doing that.

Jesus does not start here addressing their question directly, but by giving them good instructions for the future in general. Throughout history there have been many that have claimed to be Christ, or to have some special knowledge of Him. Jesus is warning his followers to be discerning.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and care! We cannot afford to ignore Your boundless grace. Nobody has ever surprised You, and You alone can guide us to all of the truth. Help us to rely on You faithfully. Your will is wonderful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

So they put a question to Him, saying, ‘When, therefore, will these things be, and what is the sign whenever these things are about to come to pass.’

Luke 21:7

We have recorded for us several of the questions that the disciples asked Christ. Here, they are responding to His words about the destruction of the temple. They did not expect the answer they received. But Jesus did launch into a rather lengthy explanation of the future with this question as the spring-board.

Heavenly Father, You are holy and good. I will forever seek to praise You! Your ways are beyond our understanding and Your love is more than we can fathom. Thank you! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

These things which you see – the days are coming in which a stone shall not be left atop a stone that shall not been thrown down.

Luke 21:6

The ancient building method for structures like the temple was to pile up hewn stones. The idea was to make a permanent edifice that time and disaster would not remove.

Thus, to actually ‘destroy’ such a structure, one had to ‘unpile’ the stones. Because of this, Jesus is describing a complete destruction; one in which the enemy would make the effort to completely erase the formerly existing building.

Heavenly Father, thank you for another day to serve you! Your glory and your holiness are wonderful. We are so blessed to be yours! Thank you for your mercy, grace, and great love. Your faithfulness to us is such a comfort. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise you, Amen.

And as some spoke about the temple, that it was adorned with good stones and consecrated gifts, He said,

Luke 21:5

Jesus was about to impart to His disciples some of His prophetic teaching on the coming calamity that would face the Jewish people. Although the Jews were unhappy about the Romans, they were quite proud of the new temple and were obviously very impressed with the generosity of their countrymen.

The temple was and is the most important thing to any orthodox Jewish person. And yet, at this time the people of God largely missed the Lord Himself. Everyone, Jew and Gentile alike, should learn from this reality. Buildings are great, but God is greater.

Heavenly Father, thank You for building the church! The body of Christ is not a physical building, but it is a beautiful thing. We praise You for the joy and peace that Christ has brought to our broken world. We will always see You as You are, not as we want to make You. You have built a blessing, and we are grateful! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray and praise You, Amen.

For all these out of abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her lack put in all her living that she had.

Luke 21:4

This woman gave sacrificially. Her focus was on Who the offering was going to, not who all might see and take note of her offering.

The percentage which she gave was high. Jesus saw that. What she had given was all that she had at the time. She gave knowing the Lord would have  to supply her with more. Her dependence upon the Lord was very real.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love for us! You have given us so much! Only by Your will can we survive. Your mercy is new every day. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.