TITLE: STAND FIRM AND YOU WILL WIN LIFE
TITLE: STAND FIRM AND YOU WILL WIN LIFE
SCRIPTURE:
“Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “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.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?” 8 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. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” 10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 “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. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.” (Luke 21:5—19 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
This is an interesting warning Jesus is giving his disciples of what they are facing ahead. The disciples were adorning how beautiful the temple stones were with gifts dedicated to God. There are many times our interests are not Jesus’ interests. The temple was the disciple’s interest. But as wonderful as adorning the temple was for them, Jesus made it very clear, that it would not help them. 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. The temple was central to the life of every Jew of that time.
Everything that we put our interests and trust in will someday be destroyed. We all have a choice to make. Either we adorned or be taken up with our interests or Jesus’ interests. The disciples asked for a sign of when those stones would fall, and Jesus gave them this warning. When that time comes, be careful about many will come in my name, claiming, I am he and the time is near. Jesus gave them the reality of how their lives are going to be. The life of a follower of Jesus is not easy. Jesus said, there is a chance they will be deceived. The disciples will be seized and put in prison. They will be brought before kings and governors all because they believe in him.
Jesus said in times of difficulties heaping on them, they will bear testimony to him. Our witness of Jesus must never cease because of the difficulties we will face. We will face troubles because of Jesus in us. Our witness of Christ must continue. Jesus ’words encouraged me today to be prepared to face difficulties as a reality of life as I follow him. I love these words Jesus spoke to his disciples to encourage them when difficulties come:
• Watch out that you are not deceived.
• Do not follow them who claimed to be Jesus!
• Do not be frightened of troubles ahead. The end will come but do not be frightened.
• You will face persecution.
• Make up your mind NOT to worry beforehand about how you will defend yourselves.
• I will give you Words and Wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
• Your family and friends will betray you and some will even kill you.
• But NOT a hair of your head will perish.
• Stand firm and you will win in life.
These are powerful realities and truths that I must accept as a follower of Jesus. Jesus reminded me to count the cost and not to follow him blindly. Counting the cost involves a calculation in my mind if this is something I want to do. My faith must be intelligent and not follow blindly. Jesus gave a clear warning as clear can be. Some of them will even be killed. This does not fly well in the face of all of us modern disciples. What a challenge.
APPLICATION:
I am reminded of the seriousness of the life of a true disciple of Jesus. I want to be that disciple that says yes to whatever I am going to face in the future. I will not cease to be a witness of Jesus even when times are going to be rough. I want to be a Jesus follower who says yes even when life seems challenging. I choose to be a witness for him daily.
PRAYER:
Jesus, it is my prayer that I will be your witness even when things are difficult. I ask that you continue to teach me what it is to follow you with the life you have given me. I want to be your witness. I want to stand firm and win in life. I want to live your life till the end so many will be drawn to you. Help me to be a faithful witness to you and your kingdom. I pray all these in your name, Amen!
