Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 21:12-19
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
Commentary:
21:12 before all this. Before the events of vv. 6–11.
21:13 opportunity to bear witness. Cf. 24:48; Acts 1:8.
21:14 not to meditate beforehand how to answer. Cf. 12:11–12.
21:16 You will be delivered up even by parents intensifies 12:53; 14:26; 18:29. Some of you suggests that martyrdom will be the exception.
21:18 In light of the prediction that some disciples will be “put to death” (v. 16), it is best to take not a hair of your head will perish as a metaphorical way of saying that God’s people will suffer no eternal spiritual harm.
21:19 Through endurance (Gk. hypomonē, “endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, patience”) believers will gain their lives (that is, will be enabled to partake of the full benefits of final salvation in the end times; see 9:24).
21:13 opportunity to bear witness. Cf. 24:48; Acts 1:8.
21:14 not to meditate beforehand how to answer. Cf. 12:11–12.
21:16 You will be delivered up even by parents intensifies 12:53; 14:26; 18:29. Some of you suggests that martyrdom will be the exception.
21:18 In light of the prediction that some disciples will be “put to death” (v. 16), it is best to take not a hair of your head will perish as a metaphorical way of saying that God’s people will suffer no eternal spiritual harm.
21:19 Through endurance (Gk. hypomonē, “endurance, steadfastness, perseverance, patience”) believers will gain their lives (that is, will be enabled to partake of the full benefits of final salvation in the end times; see 9:24).
Questions:
- Jesus says wars and natural disasters are coming, and in verse 12 that a time of great persecution is coming. He tells us to expect it, but to not fear. He says when we're dragged in to stand trial to not worry because this will be an opportunity to tell people about Jesus. He is saying things are going to get extremely difficult before He returns. Jesus says plainly that suffering goes hand in hand with the preaching of the gospel and He tells us to stand firm despite the cost. How prepared are you to withstand actual physical persecution?
- When persecution comes, every Christian's faith will be put to the test. This is where the real will be separated from the faker. This is why it is so vitally important that we be actively growing and strengthening our faith. We must be developing a faith that can't be shaken, no matter the trials we go through. What are you doing now to ensure you have a strong enough faith later?
Pray:
- That you would prepare yourself now for possible suffering later.
- That you would be developing a faith that can withstand persecution.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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