We are led into the final days and hours before Christ’s crucifixion. I always find these passages of scripture very sobering. May our wonderful Saviour continue to get the praise for what He has done for us!
Luke 21: The Widow's Offering
1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,
2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
3 And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.
4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple
5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,
6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
7 And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"
8 And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.
9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."
Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,
22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written.
23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.
24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29 And he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Watch Yourselves
34 "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 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."
37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.
38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.
Luke 22: The Plot to Kill Jesus
1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.
2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.
Judas to Betray Jesus
3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
The Passover with the Disciples
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it."
9 They said to him, "Where will you have us prepare it?"
10 He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters
11 and tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'
12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there."
13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Institution of the Lord's Supper
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.
15 And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves.
18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.
22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!"
23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
Who Is the Greatest?
24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
25 And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
28 "You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,
29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,
30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,
32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death."
34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me."
Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus
35 And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."
36 He said to them, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfilment."
38 And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough."
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,
42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."
43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him,
48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"
49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
Peter Denies Jesus
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, "This man also was with him."
57 But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."
58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not."
59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, "Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean."
60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times."
62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
Jesus Is Mocked
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.
64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?"
65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.
Jesus Before the Council
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said,
67 "If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe,
68 and if I ask you, you will not answer.
69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God."
70 So they all said, "Are you the Son of God, then?" And he said to them, "You say that I am."
71 Then they said, "What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips."
Things to think about…
1. Luke 21 is almost entirely devoted to the future destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming of Christ. I believe Jesus not only describes AD70 when Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus, but also points to events that are still in the future from our perspective. Have a look at Luke 21:9, 24. It says that these events won’t happen all at once. Jesus then says that nation will rise against nation and that there will be earthquakes and famines, but also that the Jewish people will be taken into other nations until the times of the Gentiles is fulfilled. A lot of this activity is more graphically illustrated in the book of Revelation. Many say we are in these days, some have even tried to nail down a date, to their own shame. I believe we are near in a number of ways, but to declare a time is foolish and Jesus has told us that the day and hour is only known in the mind of God.
2. Jesus does say however that we will know when these days are upon us in Luke 21:29-33, with the lesson of the fig tree. Much discussion has surrounded the words “this generation” and what they mean. Is Jesus referring to His hearers, or the Jewish people or the generation who are alive at the time of Christ’s second coming. Could He be referring to a combination of all three? Think the word genera stands for the Jewish people and as such they will not pass away until the fulfillment of our Lord’s words.
3. The only ones who won’t recognise when Jesus is coming back are those described in Luke 21:34-35. How are we to ‘stay awake’ as described in verse 36? Surely by maintaining our relationship with Christ and making sure others hear about the kingdom of God in Christ is staying awake. Reading the scriptures and praying of course are vital in “staying awake”.
4. In Luke 22 we see a sharp change in the spirit of things. The opening verse says that people wanted Jesus dead. Then from verses 3-6 Satan enters Judas and from that point on he seeks how he can betray Christ. The Scriptures testify about Judas and those that would reject Christ, Ps 69:22-28. Did Judas have any choice or was he ‘predestined’ to be a betrayer and he just went mindlessly going about his business? Do you remember any other part of the scriptures that describe Judas’ character before this point? In Romans 1 it speaks of God handing people over to their desires. Judas was in this camp. He is simply carrying out his heart’s desire.
5. Look at Luke 22:7-13. Jesus has everything planned out. The disciples just needed to obey. It’s the same with us. What has the Lord told you to do? Have you maintained an open ear and a willing heart in His call and challenge? How can this be tested?
6. In Luke 22:14-23 Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. What does this sacrament mean for you? As a Christian, is there ever a time when you shouldn’t take it? Why do you believe this to be the case? Certainly, when our heart and actions aren’t right with another believer would be a logical time not to partake. But remember that we are kept in a relationship with Christ by grace and not of works. A heart that acknowledges this reality as well as its own sinfulness should always feel welcomed at the table.
7. The disciples are arguing again as to who is the greatest, Luke 22:24-30. Earlier Jesus taught them to be like a child and said, “for such is the kingdom of heaven”. Pride and sinful ambition stop the work of humility and grace. Yet we know the Apostles will have very prominent positions in heaven, Luke 22:30. What place are you hoping for when you get to heaven? The last shall be first.
8. Do you ever feel like Peter as described in Luke 22:31-34? Jesus has prayed for you, even though Satan has asked to sift you, you believe ‘it’ll be right, I won’t fall’. Jesus uses these situations to show how powerful Satan is and how weak we are. Can you think of a situation where you have denied Christ? What is the difference between Judas and Peter in their denials of Jesus?
9. Look at the dialogue in Luke 22:35-38. Jesus says to sell your cloak to buy a sword, they then show him two swords and then He says, “that’s enough”. I.E He effectively says, ‘forget it, you don’t understand’. Jesus expresses exasperation at their dullness. Why did He mention a sword in the first place? Have a look at the context and what He was about to undergo. Peter no doubt uses one of these swords to cut off the servant’ Malchus’s right ear. Peter is still doing things in his own strength. Lord help us move more in the Spirit and less in the flesh.
10. We see Peter’s denial in Luke 22:54-62. It says that the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Only Luke brings this out. I am always struck by this verse. How do you think He looked at Him? How did Peter feel do you think? I think Jesus looked at Peter with love and compassion, knowing Peter was racked with guilt. Peter would be restored, but would have to firstly be brought low through Jesus telling Peter that he would deny Him.
11. Look at the hatred expressed towards Jesus in Luke 22:63-71. They ask plainly ‘are you the Christ’? He says they won’t believe Him if He says He is the Christ. He tells them He is and guess what…they don’t believe Him. Many people already have their minds made up about Jesus. It doesn’t matter what you tell them, they have already decided what they believe regarding who He is. What convinced you that Jesus was in fact the Christ? In Luke 23:4, 22 Pilate is clearly struggling to come up with any justification as to why Jesus should be put to death. Do you have any empathy for Pilate in this regard? He had to keep the peace, otherwise his authority would be challenged by Caesar Tiberius in Rome, and the people were almost rioting. The pax romana – the Roman peace must be maintained by the Roman rulers. If it was not maintained they would be under discipline.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha training at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Tad as he prepares for the celebration of life service for his brother Andrew, today 10am at church. Join us if you can.
2. Pray for the Kids Klub starting Fri 28th July.
3. Pray for alpha course starting 26th July Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians. Training at church tonight.
4. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
5. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
7. Pray for Kids@church.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for new life! Jennifer has been blessed with 2 more grand children. Twin girls – Aurelia Rose Blackwood and Callista Lily Blackwood – 2kg each. Both healthy and mum as well. Praise the name of the Lord!
2. Andrew has gone to be with the Lord. He is free from pain and rejoicing with His Saviour around the throne. Funeral tomorrow 10am at Chuwar Baptist Church.
3. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
4. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Andrew Proszynski’s funeral will be held at Chuwar Baptist Church at 10am on Wed 19th July.
2. Alpha Course starting on Wed 26th July – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
3. Friday afternoon Kids Klub – starting third term Fri 28th July – 3pm (3:30pm start) - 5:30pm.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 10. Where is God? A. God is everywhere.
Psalm 139:7-12; Acts 17:27-28; Jeremiah 23:23-24.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
