Luke 21:5-19 (NRSV)
Read Luke 21:5-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 5When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, Verse 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." Verse 7They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" Verse 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. Verse 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." Verse 10Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; Verse 11there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. Verse 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. Verse 13This will give you an opportunity to testify. Verse 14So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; Verse 15for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. Verse 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. Verse 17You will be hated by all because of my name. Verse 18But not a hair of your head will perish. Verse 19By your endurance you will gain your souls.
Devotion
Beware of the voices – and things – who call out to us to bow low in homage. The splendor of the Temple had its own voice in Jerusalem. Many bowed to that symbol of power, grandeur and God’s favor.
And beware of those who say, “I am he!” and “The time is near!” as they call us to follow and become disciples.
Who are the voices in 2004 that call to us? What tempts us to bow down? Inside the church? In our nation? In the world? Do the promises of the recent political season now ring true or seem hollow?
Jesus’ prophetic voice, bringing in the reign of God, warned that the other voices would crumble – but not before a tremendous fight to stay alive. The contest of the voices vying for control is apocalyptic stuff. We know that in the end: “... He shall reign for ever and ever ...”
Prayer
Lead on, O King eternal! The day of march has come…Through days of preparation, Your grace has made us strong; And now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song. Amen.
(LBW #495, "Lead On, O King Eternal!")