LUKE 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen? “He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end. “Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

“Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Backgrounder

By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

The magnificent temple of Jerusalem was one of the wonders of the world. When Jesus prophecies its destruction he is saying something that sounds like it would be the end of the world. Over six hundred years before Jesus’s time the first temple of Jerusalem had been destroyed. This was the most traumatic event in the history of Israel.
Jesus was basically talking about the end of the world as they knew it. They also thought that this mean that God’s judgement was coming down on the world. They actually hoped that they would see this terrible day, with its accompanying wars and disasters. Why? Because God had promised a great restoration of his Kingdom on earth, and this would mean peace and prosperity for them and for all peoples.

But Jesus is actually preparing his followers for the mission that he would give them. This mission would begin with his own sacrifice on the Cross, his resurrection from the dead, and his return to heaven. This would be a devastating blow to them, because they would then be leaderless on earth. And, as he tells them, they would face persecution, arrest, and execution. How would they cope? How would they persevere?

At the heart of being a Christian is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who comes with power from God, who makes us alive again. In the Holy Spirit, we will be able to give testimony, to tell people about Jesus, about how is still with us, leading, healing, giving us victory. Our perseverance is not an exemption from suffering, but a way of living joyfully, even when it seems like the world is ending.