Luke 21:29-38. This sermon was preached by Pastor Marty Bonner on November 08, 2015.
Today we will finish this chapter and return to the events of the last days of Jesus leading up to the crucifixion. I plan to pause our study through Luke for the next 2 months and then pick it back up next year.
Having finished his revelation of the things that are in the future, Jesus ends with some final instructions regarding how that should affect their minds and lives. It is important to recognize the difference between receiving information from the Lord and having that rightly impact our lives. We must not only hear the Word, but we must also recognize the imperatives that the Spirit of our Lord is pressing to us.
Jesus starts his instructions with a parable regarding vigilance. Several times he commands us to watch, look, and see the things that are happening around us and within us. Thus earlier he commanded his disciples not to fear and not to be deceived. Both involve the things that we may or may not see. The people of God are called to be a vigilant people as opposed to those who are spiritually sleeping, drunk, or dead. The first thing he points them to watch for involves all the signs and events that he has prophesied. It is not enough for us just to know that he believed these things were coming. We need to be a people who watch for these things. On one hand we watch for the things that fit the descriptions that Jesus gave. But on the other hand we make distinctions based upon what he said. Thus we know that some things were going to happen in the first century, other things were going to be indicative of the whole age of Gentile domination, and then some things would be indicative of the end of this age and the Second Coming of Jesus. Part of our watching is coming to a better understanding of what Jesus was saying.
Jesus gives a parable of budding trees. It mentions a fig tree but then adds “and all the trees.” Sometimes a fig tree is used as a metaphor for Israel. However, in this passage it is a picture of all the things Jesus prophesied (some of them having to do with Israel). When a tree begins to bud then we know that summer is near. Although we may think this a no-brainer, there is a subtle point being made. We have dates on the calendar such as June 21 and September 21 (depending on the year) in which we declare the beginning of summer and its end. However, our experience with this period of time called summer is not always the same. Sometimes it comes late and sometimes it comes early. Trees have a relationship with the earth and sun that is different than us. They are more sensitive to the things that can go undetected by us. Thus a tree buds when it has a certain amount of energy and nutrients from the soil and sun. We can make educated guesses at when that will be, but nothing can take the place of seeing the trees and plants responding. Thus the difference between computer models and real life cause and effect cannot be made clearer. Those who watch the world and make their guesses as to when the times of the Gentiles will end and the Second Coming will occur have often demonstrated the inability we have as humans to sense spiritual things clearly. The signs and events that Jesus has revealed are intended to be like buds on a tree. They help us know that the Kingdom of God and the Second Coming is near, or not. Clearly, Jesus is not referring to the spiritual aspect of the Kingdom of God that the disciples had already entered into. Rather, He is pointing forward to the Millennial Age when Messiah will remove the wicked of the earth, depose its wicked kings, and hand the kingdom over to the saints. What has happened spiritually will come into being politically at the Second Coming.
Next Jesus makes a statement that “this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.” If this was the only information we had, it would seem that Jesus is pointing to the disciples and saying this generation (the one that exists now). But when we look at the same account in Matthew 24 it is worded a bit differently. “When you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Here the generation being referred to is a generation that will see “all these things” in the future. So here is the rub. If all the events of Luke 21 happened in the first century then they were the generation Jesus was talking about. However, I have made the case in the last 5 sermons that not everything happened. In fact, the genius in how this prophecy is written can be seen in how the people of every generation will still operate with a characteristic of vigilance and it would do them in good stead. Thus the first century believers saw many of these things and were prepared to avoid the wrath of God poured out on the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.
Yet, there are still some things that have not happened. Matthew 24:15 mentions an Abomination of Desolation that did not occur in the first century. There are some creative attempts at connecting this with events at the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, but they are forced at best. Matthew 24:14 mentions the Gospel being preached in “all the world.” This also would not be the natural understanding of what happened before 70 AD. Yes the Gospel spread greatly into the Roman world. But the universal need of the Gospel requires a spread throughout all the nations literally. Notice that it says all things that are written would be fulfilled (vs. 22). This sets up many passages, such as Zechariah 14, that were clearly not fulfilled in the 70 AD destruction. The times of the Gentiles ending and the Second Coming of Jesus did not happen in 70 AD. Again, there are some creative attempts to say that Jesus came back spiritually. But that is not what this prophecy predicts. Lastly, we have not seen a convergence of the sun and moon darkened with stars falling to the earth. See last week’s sermon for more on this.
Up to verse 34 Jesus is talking about our vigilance regarding the things in the heavens and on the earth. But at verse 34 he begins talking about our vigilance regarding ourselves. Believers must be watchers of their own souls as much as they are watchers of the times around them. The word translated “take heed” in the NKJV has the idea of turning your mind and inspection upon yourself. Thus we talk about introspection. There are many temptations and fears that can sidetrack a believer from following Jesus. If a person is not careful and does not watch themselves they will fall into sin and into its consequences. If left unattended, these things can even jeopardize the soul of a disciple of Christ. We only need to think of Judas to recognize this. Jesus warned Peter, James, and John, when he asked them to pray with him on the night he was betrayed, that they needed to “watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41). The love of God and the blood of Christ do not absolve the believer from vigilance over their soul.
Jesus points out that our hearts can become weighed down with sin. The picture is of a person who is overly burdened and cannot follow where the Lord is leading. Hebrews 12:1 touches on this same concept, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Whether we think of the analogy of an animal that is so loaded down they can’t move, or of a runner in a race who is wearing boots and heavy clothing, both instances demonstrate that we will not be able to do what Jesus wants us to do, or go where he wants us to go. Jesus mentions two specific sins and a general category. They are: carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life. The word translated as “carousing” is a reference to the state of mind of a person when they are drinking alcohol. It involves both the giddy feeling of euphoria and the attending horrible pain of a hangover. In both cases the mind of the person is messed up and not focused on Jesus. In the first all inhibitions and ability to work well are overwhelmed by a false sense of well-being. This false well-being takes the place of seeking our well-being in Christ. Thus it is a form of idolatry. In the second situation our mind is filled with pain and suffering to the point it is unable to deal with anything else that the Lord may have for us. This cycle of drinking to feel good and then not feeling good has sidetracked many a person from being a faithful servant of the Lord. The second sin translated “drunkenness” goes hand in hand with carousing. It is a clear reference to the person who drinks too much alcohol and becomes intoxicated. Believers are not commanded to be teetotalers, but they are commanded not to be drunk. Both of these issues can be seen as spiritual metaphors. The lusts of our flesh can become the directors of our pursuit of well-being. The consequential cycle of dramatic highs and crashes, shipwrecks the faith of people in the way of Christ. This leads us to the general category of the cares of this life. Jesus referred to this in the parable of the soils. He warned that the cares and worries of this life can suck up all the moisture and nutrition of our life and choke out the Word of God. Thus a person does not grow in becoming like Christ and instead grow in becoming like the world. All of these are like weights on our heart and must be jettisoned in order to follow Jesus. It might be better said that the Christian life is one of learning to prune the things we need in order to continue following Christ. This is a process that will not end as long as we are in this flesh.
The consequence of dilatoriness in the battle against the lusts of the flesh can lead to being caught unaware by the Day of the Lord. Now the problem here is not that a person has sinned. But that they have quit watching over their soul and have become like one of the drunkards. Just because you have the label of Christian does not mean that your heart is really following after Jesus. Several parables that the Lord told refer to servants who doubt that the master is coming back and begin to take advantage of their position in his “house.” They end up receiving the same judgment as those who were his enemies and never a part of his house. The Lord is coming back to judge the wicked of this world who reject him as Lord. Yet, he will also judge the wicked servants of his house who have rejected him in their hearts. Thus Jesus uses the picture of a snare or trap in verse 35. The world and “Christians” who are following their flesh will be surprised at the coming of Jesus. They will both be caught up in the judgments and wrath of the Lamb of God. All traps have bait that the thing being trapped wants. In this case both those who never follow Christ and those who only pretend to do so are trapped by the lusts of their own mind and body. God has warned us for millennia that those who go after the lusts of the flesh will reap destruction. Thus we begin to understand another side of the distress and perplexity experienced by those who see the wrath of God coming upon the earth. They are trapped by their desire to do it any way but the way of Jesus. The world is headed into a trap that it will not escape. Do not listen to the songs of the singing sirens. They call mankind to take hold of its “evolution” and become the gods it was destined to become. This will lead to inescapable judgment and destruction.
Finally Jesus tells us to pray for ourselves. Technically watching and praying are concepts that are tied together in the Scripture. They are two sides of the same coin. Yes we ought to pray for one another. But a prayer life begins with a person who sees the assault of sin upon their own heart and has established a communion with Jesus regarding what is seen there. Only then are we able to rightly pray and intercede for others. A prayer of introspection concerns itself with being ready for the Lord’s return. Regardless whether he comes back or we die, we know that we will have a day of accounting and this should be a daily concern of our prayers. In fact, Jesus uses the phrase “counted worthy to escape…” This is not talking about meriting our own salvation. Only those who are clothed in the righteousness of Christ are worthy. However, our response of faith to Jesus must demonstrate works that are worthy of true repentance. In other words, “Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows that will he also reap.” If we sow to our flesh we are going to reap destruction. But if we follow the Spirit of Christ and sow to it, we will find life. Our pretense will not be over looked by him who can see all things of the mind and heart. Thus we want to be able to stand before Christ as an accepted servant, rather than to fall as an unworthy servant who is cast out into utter darkness. Many who think they should be accepted will be rejected in that day. It is no mystery. Christ has made these things abundantly clear.
Let me end by reminding us that God does not intend His wrath to be poured out on His people. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” Also, Revelation 11:18 says, “The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Like He has often done, and like He did in 70 AD, the Lord pulls out the righteous before He brings down His wrath. Thus He will do in the last days. At some point Jesus will rapture His bride before He pours out the wrath of God upon a world that hates him. Today is the day to choose what side you will be on.