Watching and Waiting with Hope (Luke 21)

Evening Scripture

Luke, Chapter 21

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me.

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.

When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.

How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Evening Reflection

When we read Jesus’ words in tonight’s chapter, there’s a part of our spirit that testifies to the very awful events Jesus prophesied. Kingdoms fighting kingdoms, nations against one another, and immeasurable earthquakes, famines, and diseases. Many might say we are indeed in the last days and silently fear, “How much more pain and suffering is there left to experience?” before Jesus comes back. 

In the meantime, we live. We go on each day learning more about a good Savior and a God with a good, redemptive plan. We watch and wait with utter hope.

That might be hard to do. But before we let fear overtake us and become jaded with the things we cannot control, we must remind ourselves of the encouragement of God’s presence with us. We have the Holy Spirit living and breathing in and through us, changing our perspective and lens of Christ. But how do we practically watch and wait with hope?

First, we heed Christ’s warning found in Luke 21:34-36 to be on guard and alert at all times. We refuse to become lukewarm in our faith (Revelation 3:16) and remind ourselves there is an enemy actively roaming to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). The enemy of our souls would love a complacent Christian, one who is weary, with little hope of something beautiful to come.

Next, we do exactly what Jesus said: we raise our heads. Not because of pride or in selfish gain, but because redemption is on its way! There’s a deep part of my heart that beckons for things to be made right, for King Jesus to reign and for every knee to bow and every heart to confess His Lordship. I’m so genuinely eager for pain, suffering, and death to be no more. Can you let your heart imagine that for a minute? All of the worries weighing your heart right now will be no more because all has been made right in a righteous plan!

And yet, we wait amidst the weight of anxiety. We wait in the middle of grief. We wait in the middle of the mundane, ordinary, day-to-day work. In the waiting, we embody what Jesus said we’d do: bear testimony to Him. Then we take the next step: We choose not to fear the future, or the persecution coming our way. Finally, we “stand firm” and know God’s rescue plan is already in motion.

We watch, but we do not fear. We wait, but we do not become weary. Tonight, allow hope to sweep into the corners of your heart and refresh your soul. Redemption is coming!

Evening Prayer

God,

It’s so easy for me to see the world and everything wrong in it. From tragedies to health battles, from natural disasters to evil powers, my heart can become so weary. If I’m honest Lord, the fear of the future and what will happen to future generations can grip me with frustration, worry, and a lack of motivation to keep fighting.

Help me stay passionate for you, your word, and your redemption plan. Show me my place in your story and help me live with conviction and purpose. I pray for all who have read this tonight to have a deep sense of peace and trust in you, a good and loving God. Lead the way and set the example on how to stand firm in this time in history. Ignite our flame of hope as we watch and wait for our King.

In the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen!

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

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