September 30, 2016

DO NOT BE DECEIVED! RUN TO THE TRUTH!

Luke 21:5–24

Dan McHugh
Friday's Devo

September 30, 2016

Friday's Devo

September 30, 2016

Central Truth

Satan tries to distract us with false teaching and paralyze us with fear so that we cannot fulfill the mission that Christ has called us to. When we trust Christ completely and obey His teachings, there is no room in our lives for fear or lies.

Key Verse | Luke 21:8–9

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. 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.” (Luke 21:8-9)

Luke 21:5–24

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “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.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 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. 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 1 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters 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 fulfill 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.

Footnotes

[1] 21:16 Or parents and brothers and sisters

Dive Deeper | Luke 21:5–24

If you knew that you only had a few days left to live, what would you teach your kids? That is the situation in which Jesus found Himself. His days were numbered. So, when the disciples commented on the beauty of the temple around them, He seized the opportunity to teach them. After describing the destruction of the temple, the disciples asked Jesus the same questions that would come to my mind: “When will this happen and how will I know?” While Jesus didn't give them an exact date or time, His response to the disciples did give them clear instructions that I believe are still relevant for us today.

First, Jesus told them to not be led astray or follow after false teachers. The NIV uses the word deceived. Second, Jesus told them not to be frightened or overwhelmed by the events that He described. As I think about my own life, it is easy for me to fall into either one of these traps. The cure for both of these problems is the same—I must run to God's Word and be faithful to His commands. If I know God's Word, then I will know when someone else is distorting it or twisting its teaching. If I know God's Word, then I know that God is sovereign over both the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1) and the forces of nature (Matthew 8:23-27), so I do not need to fear either one of them. If I am obedient to God's commands, then I will be focused on eternity instead of things that will one day be destroyed.

In this passage, Jesus is ultimately telling His disciples to persevere, and that is the message for us today. We must not grow weary. At the end of the day, Satan doesn't need us to worship him; he just needs us to keep worshiping ourselves. Don’t be led astray into believing that anyone or anything can give you life other than Christ! Be faithful to God’s Word and obedient to His commands. Do not be frightened. The battle is already won!

Discussion Questions

1. Look at how Satan led Adam and Eve astray in Genesis 3. Now read Luke 4:1-13 when Satan tempted Jesus. What was the difference in the response of Adam and Eve and Jesus’ response?

2. Do you find it easy or difficult to believe that God is sovereign over everything that is happening in our world?

3. What is one thing that you can do today in order to prepare yourself for the day Christ returns?