Jesus gave his final sermon in Luke 21. It is also recorded in Matthew and Mark. Jesus’ talk covers many things, but his main point is —stay faithful! In the previous few days, Jesus had triumphantly entered Jerusalem and received the worship of those who recognized him as king. The next day, he cleansed the temple. He had given his last message in the temple, knowing the end was near. Jesus knew what lay ahead—the cross and his humiliating death, yet he walked in steadfast faithfulness to his Father’s will.
Leaving the temple, Jesus and his disciples climbed Mt. of Olives. The context of this talk was his disciple’s admiration for the temple. The disciples were so impressed with the beauty of the temple, but Jesus told them not to be. He predicted the temple would be destroyed and every stone torn down. It was by the Romans in 70 AD.
Jesus told his disciples that there would be natural disasters, wars, and cosmic signs and people claiming to be the Messiah, but don’t believe them. The end is not yet. “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:27-28). Jesus predicted his Second Coming, as did Daniel and many of the other prophets. Jesus came the first time as a babe born in a stable. He entered Jerusalem as a king riding a humble donkey. But when he comes the second time, he will come in the clouds with his holy angels and all his saints.
My prayer is that we can keep our priorities straight: First God, then our families, and then our ministry and careers. If those priorities get out of alignment, we are in the enemy’s sights. A good analogy is the difference between thermometers and thermostats. Thermometer people react to mounting fear and uncertainty with a sudden surge in their emotional temperature. Their inner thoughts shout, “Danger, everything is going to be bad; there is no hope.” Fear drives the thoughts and words. Thermometers reflect their environment. Thermostats, on the other hand, control their environment. Thermostat people respond to the same signals with calm and trust in the Lord. They do not have knee-jerk reactions. Even in uncertainty, they know who is in charge and can remain faithful to God.
When we were living in Corrientes, Argentina, we purchased a property for planting our first church there. It was a property with just a roof and metal legs. We made a large payment in two installments. The second payment was due in 30 days, and a specific date was specified in the contract. However, as the day approached, the government announced that banks would be closed for several days. I contacted the owners and let them know payment on that day would not be possible because the banks were closed. I could have done it on the first day they opened. The sellers told me that I would forfeit the property and lose my first payment. I reviewed the contract, and it did indeed state that. I tried talking to them, telling them that it seemed unreasonable. They said they didn’t care what it appeared to me. Be there on that day with the money or lose the property and the first payment.
I contacted the only person who might have the money. He did,
but no bank transfers were possible. I would have to go in person to get the
money to a city 12 hours away. I couldn’t get a plane or a bus and be back in
time. I would have to drive 12 hours there, stay for no more than an hour, and
then drive back. I completed the task and arrived at the owner’s house before
the deadline. I knocked on his door, and when he opened it, I was standing
there with two briefcases full of money. I said, “Do you want to count it
before you sign?” That is an example of an unfaithful and dishonest man. As I
drove away from the man’s house, I knew that God had been faithful to me. I had
every reason to stay faithful to God.
Experiences like this, which are not uncommon for us, make us yearn for a world without dishonesty and deception. That will never happen here, but it will one day be in God’s heaven. There will be no sin there because there will be no sinners. Our natures will be changed, and even our bodies will be transformed for heaven.
In the meantime, we are to stay Faithful! We are called to remain faithful, even though we will encounter unfaithfulness from this world and the people around us. None of that is a reason for us to be unfaithful. God calls us to be faithful in an unfaithful world.
