Read Luke 21:25-37

JESUS TELLS ABOUT HIS RETURN
The picture of the coming persecutions and natural disasters is gloomy, but ultimately it is not a cause for worry, but for great joy. As believer’s see these events happening, they will know that the return of the Messiah is near, and they can look forward to His reign of justice and peace. Rather than being terrified by what is happening in the world, you should confidently await Christ’s return to bring justice and restoration to His people.
Jesus did not leave His disciples unprepared for the difficult years ahead. He warned them about false messiahs, natural disasters, and persecutions; but He assured them that He would be with them to protect them and make His kingdom known through them. In the end, Jesus promised that He would return in power and glory to save them. Jesus’ warnings and promises to His disciples also apply to you as you look forward to His return.
Jesus told His disciples to keep a constant watch for His return. Although 2,000 years have passed since He spoke these words, their truth remains: Christ is coming again and you need to be spiritually ready. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given you. Don’t let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. Don’t let the cares of this life weigh you down. Be ready to move at God’s command.

Read Luke 21:5-24

JESUS TELLS ABOUT THE FUTURE
The Temple the disciples were admiring was not Solomon’s Temple. This Temple had been built by Ezra after the return from exile later in the sixth century B.C. It was desecrated by the Seleucides in the second century B.C., reconstructed by the Maccabees soon afterward, and enormously expanded by Herod the Great over a 46-year period. It was a beautiful, imposing structure with a significant history, but Jesus said it would be completely destroyed. This happened in A.D. 70 when the Roman Army burned Jerusalem.
Jesus was not saying that believers would be exempt from physical harm or death during a time of persecutions. Many of the disciples were martyred. Jesus was saying even though persecutions will arise, none of His followers will suffer spiritual or eternal loss. On earth, everyone will die, but believers in Jesus will be saved forever.
Jesus warned that in the coming persecutions His followers would be betrayed by their family members and friends. Christians of every age have had to face this possibility. It is reassuring to know that even when we feel completely abandoned, the Holy Spirit will stay with us. He will comfort us, protect us, and give us the words we need. This assurance can give the hope and courage to stand firm for Christ, no matter how difficult the situation.

Read Luke 21:1-4

A POOR WIDOW GIVES ALL SHE HAS
Jesus was in the area of the Temple called the Court of Women. In this area were seven boxes in which worshipers could deposit their Temple tax and six boxes for freewill offerings, like the one this woman gave. This widow was not only poor but had few resources for making money. Her small gift was a sacrifice, but she gave willingly.
In contrast to the way most of us handle money, this woman gave all she had to live on. When you consider yourself generous in giving a small percentage of your income to the Lord, you resemble those who gave a tiny part of their surplus. Here, Jesus admired her generous and sacrificial giving. As a believer, you should consider increasing your giving to a point beyond mere convenience.

Read Luke 20:41-47

RELIGIOUS LEADERS CANNOT ANSWER JESUS
The Pharisees and Sadducees asked their questions. Then Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question that went right to the heart of the matter: what they thought about the Messiah’s identity. The Pharisees knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, but they did not understand that He would be more than a human descendent: He would be God in the flesh. Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 to show that David knew that the Messiah would be both human and divine. The Pharisees only expected a human ruler to restore Israel’s greatness, as in the days of David and Solomon.
The central issue of life is what you believe about Jesus. Other spiritual questions are irrelevant unless you first decide to believe that Jesus is who He says He is. The Pharisees and Sadducees could not do this. They remained confused over Jesus’ identity.
How strange to think that religious leaders and teachers of the law would receive the worst punishment. But behind their appearance of holiness and respectability, they were arrogant, crafty, selfish, and uncaring. Jesus exposed their evil hearts. He showed that despite their pius words, they were neglecting God’s laws and doing as they pleased. Religious deeds do not cancel sin. Jesus said that God’s most severe judgement awaited these teachers because they should have been living examples of mercy and justice.
The teachers of religious law loved the benefits associated with their position, and they sometimes cheated the poor in order to get even more benefits. Every job has its rewards, but gaining rewards should never become more important than doing the job faithfully. God will punish people who use their position of responsibility to cheat others. Use whatever resources you have been given to help others and not just yourself.

Read Luke 20:27-40

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION
The Sadducees, a group of conservative religious leaders, honored only the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible; Genesis through Deuteronomy) as Scripture. They also did not believe in a resurrection of the dead because they could find no mention of it in those first five books. The Sadducees decided to try their hand at tricking Jesus, so they brought Him a question that had always stumped the Pharisees. After addressing their question about marriage, Jesus answered their real question about the resurrection. Basing His answer on the writings of Moses, whom they respected, He upheld belief in the resurrection.
Jesus’ statement does not mean that people will not recognize their spouses in heaven. It means you must not think of heaven as an extension of life as we know it here on earth. Your relationships here on earth are limited by time, death, and sin. You don’t know everything about your resurrection life, but Jesus affirms that relationships will be different from what we are used to here and now.
The Sadducees came to Jesus with a trick question. Not believing in the resurrection, they wanted Jesus to say something they could refute. Even so, Jesus did not ignore or belittle their question. He answered it, and then He went beyond it to the real issue. People may ask you tough religious questions, such as “How can a loving God allow children to starve?” or, “If God knows what I am going to do, do I really have a free choice?” If they do, follow Jesus’ example: First, answer them to the best of your ability; then look for the real issue: hurt over a personal tragedy, or difficulty in making a right decision. Often the spoken question is only a test, not of your ability to answer hard questions, but of your willingness to listen and care.