Luke 21:34-38
Let’s continue to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” Luke offers some very different thoughts on these End Times than the other two Synoptic writers. He gives us, in my mind, a delightful reading today, for a couple of reasons… First, And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. (v. 38, ESV) The NASB said that the people …would get up early… That’s a nice item to have recorded. I guess the people wanted to get good seats?! This verse gives a good sense of Jesus’ standing with the people, probably frustrating the Pharisees all the more!
Second, … at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. (v. 37) Nothing big here, except that I had been wondering if Jesus returned to Bethany every evening after He was …every day… teaching in the temple. (v. 37) So I guess He was “camping out” with His disciples? Jesus had said earlier that …the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. (Luke 9:58, NLT)
Third, another encouragement verse: But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. (v. 36) Escaping and standing… I think that’s what we all want. Jesus is offering an “out” to His followers. All the more reason why we want to “stay awake”!
Finally, verse 34: But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life. (NKJV) I doubt that many of us are carousers or drunkards, so I’m glad that He included the “cares of this life” (or “worries of life”, NASB) – a good reminder to us to “not be afraid” of anything that befalls us (thank you, Debbie, for yesterday’s reminder). He is in control – if we let Him. How can we not…???!!!!
Slava Bohu!
I too thought he must be staying all night at the Mount of Olives — staying awake and praying: modeling for his disciples and us, even before the night in Gethsemane.