Story of Jesus, December 21st

Luke Chapter 21

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Some of his disciples were talking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when not one stone will be left on another, every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things 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 revolutions, 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, and in various places famines and pestilence. And there will be terrors and fearful events, and great signs from heaven.

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. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm, you will win your souls.

And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 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 those will be the days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.

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 of the world. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

There will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Then he told them this story: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near.

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

Be careful. Don’t let your hearts be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the anxieties and worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap.

For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Every day Jesus taught at the temple, and every evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives. The crowds gathered at the temple early each morning to hear him.