Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 21 : 34-38 "AND IN THE DAYTIME HE WAS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE..." Luke 21:37"
Day 273 – Luke 21
Text: Luke 21 : 34-38
“AND IN THE DAYTIME HE WAS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE…” Luke 21:37
What would you do if you had just ONE week to live? Would you devote your time to doing your favourite things? Would you spend all your time with your loved ones? Honestly, how would you spend your time, if you had just one more week to live?
Consider the example of the Lord Jesus Christ! Luke noted an important observation. Jesus knew that by the end of the week, He would die.
Jesus did not change His lifestyle or ministry at all. He had begun His public ministry teaching people the Word of God. As He drew to the end of His life’s work on earth, He was found faithfully teaching people about the kingdom of God! What a wonderful example He has set for us. “But We See Jesus…”
“BUT AT NIGHT HE WENT OUT AND STAYED ON THE MOUNTAIN CALLED OLIVET…” Luke 21:37
Jesus had always set aside time to pray. As He concluded His teaching about the End Times, He had urged His hearers to devote time to “watch and pray”. How would Jesus act on His teaching?
Jesus certainly practised what He preached! This was the last week of His life on earth. Much more time had to be set aside for the purpose of seeking God in prayer. Once again we cannot help but be deeply impressed by His example. “But We See Jesus…”
“THEN EARLY IN THE MORNING, ALL THE PEOPLE CAME TO HIM IN THE TEMPLE TO HEAR HIM…” Luke 21:38
The crowds would gather to hear Jesus teach. Little did they know how He spent time in prayer the night before!
Jesus did not feel sorry for Himself! Neither was He turned off by the fact that the people never really understood Him! He had a commission from His Father and He determined that He would be found faithful in all the things that had been entrusted to Him.
Were there crowds? He would minister to them, regardless of whether they fully appreciated His teachings. Perhaps some would come to faith in Him. Perhaps some would decide to accept His invitation to enter into the kingdom of God.
Were there enemies? They had sought every opportunity to find fault with Him. He was undaunted. He had nothing to fear from them! He would keep finding special strength from His Father to keep on teaching about the Kingdom of God.
There were His Disciples! He must continue to teach them. Jesus taught them theology in the context of life. That was the way He had always taught theology. Is there any other way of teaching theology effectively? He must teach them both by precept and example how to live out one’s faith in God! What a wonderful Saviour we have. “But We see Jesus…”
HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?
From time to time, we must pause and ponder how we are living! Would to God that if we should have just one more week to go, we would not be afraid of living the very same way we live everyday! Let us consider the following questions, drawn from the life and example of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Does your life include reaching out to people with the Word of God?
2. Does your life reflect the powerful impact of God’s Word?
3. Is prayer a very strong feature in your life?
4. Can you say that you are quite ready to stand before the Son of Man, when you come to the last week of your life?
THE TREMENDOUS EXAMPLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL
The Apostle Paul did not have the privilege of being one of the original disciples of the Lord Jesus. Nevertheless, he proved that it was possible to live a faithful and powerful life for the Lord Jesus.
Let us consider how Paul was able to live so significantly for the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us consider a portion of one of the last epistles he wrote.
“For I am already being poured out
as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me
The crown of righteousness,
Which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
Will give to me on that Day,
And not to me only but also
To all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8
We cannot but note that Paul had a very strong grasp of eschatology. He spoke of “That Day” (Cf. Luke 21:34). He loved the Lord Jesus and of course loved His appearing too. He was not afraid of being judged by Jesus the Lord, the righteous Judge. This was not because he had no sins, but because he had been forgiven and pardoned. He had sought to live for the Lord according to what he had preached. He knew that the Lord would give him “the crown of righteousness” because he had understood how he should live out his life on earth.
Paul saw life as a battle to be fought, and a race to be run. He had been given a glorious faith. He determined that he would keep his faith!
One’s perspective of life affects the way we live! What is your perspective of life?