Luke 21:20-28
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Remember that we are listening in as Jesus prophecies to his followers about the coming fall of Jerusalem and the end of time as we know it. Read Luke 21:20-28 with the three perspectives of prophecy in mind: present time, future, and far-future.
The siege of Jerusalem and subsequent attack of the Romans in 70AD was brutal and devastating. But very few (if any) genuine followers of Jesus were present when the destruction began. Those who listened to Jesus and believed his prophecy fled at the first signs of danger and were able to continue spreading Good News to the people of the earth.
Jesus’ prophetic declaration was not made in secret – it was a warning to anyone with ears to hear. But those who had already made their minds up about Jesus didn’t listen, and their stubborn refusal to heed the Messiah led to disaster.
Take some time to become still and centered in the presence of Jesus. When you are ready, ask Jesus to help you rightly assess your ability and willingness to hear him. Talk honestly to him as thoughts come to mind.
Read Luke 21:20-28 again.
About half-way through this passage, Jesus’ prophecy switches perspectives from the fall of Jerusalem to the end of the present age. As we have considered before, our present age was disrupted when Jesus ushered in the Kingdom Age at this birth. But these two parallel realities will exist together until the day that Jesus returns to restore God’s Kingdom on earth in all of its fullness. This is what the Church’s season of Advent is all about – waiting for the return of Jesus.
Around us we see some of the signs that Jesus prophesied about in this passage - nations in turmoil, people perplexed by anomalies of nature. And even though not all of what Jesus predicted has happened yet, it is more important than ever to listen and pay attention to him. Though the darkness seems to loom large, those who hold tight to Jesus can live in great hope, because these are signs that “redemption draws nigh (KJV).”
As you end this time of reflection, spend a few minutes in silence and listen to Jesus.
What is Jesus saying to you today?
How do you plan to respond?
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