City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“10 Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.’”

-Luke 21:10-19 ESV

Reflection

Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, He warns of what’s to come. Read any history book from 1st century A.D. to today and it will teach of multiple wars between multiple nations, even world wars. Earthquakes have the potential to destroy homes and lives. A famine could be caused by war, natural disaster, or a low crop yield. In an agrarian society, a bad crop year could mean the difference between food on the table or starvation. A pestilence is a deadly and rapid-spreading epidemic disease, such as a plague or even COVID from 2020. All of these events, wars, natural disasters, famine, epidemics, and deaths, will happen before the end of the world (Revelation 6:1-8). Jesus also warns of what will happen to His followers. His eleven students (minus Judas who died of suicide before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 27:3-5)) would suffer persecution, torture, and martyrdom (Except for John who survived his death sentence, was banished to the island of Patmos, and wrote the Book of Revelation).

Before the apostles’ deaths, they witnessed to crowds and authority figures, converting many to The Way. One of many examples in the Bible is in Acts 4:1-22, when Peter and John are arrested and tried by the Sadducees, Peter became filled with the Holy Spirit and his response through God astonished them as he did not have a formal education, and the Sadducees were not able to argue against them but had to let them go.

Being a follower of Jesus Christ requires everything (Matthew 19:29), if Jesus Himself was betrayed (Luke 22:3-6, Mark 14:46), it can, will, and very likely already has, happened to us. Jesus guarantees His disciples will have a great deal of trouble, but they will have a great deal of blessings (Matthew 5:10-12). In verse 18-19, when He says they will not perish and will gain their lives, He means their souls will not perish and be safe.

 Application

Jesus Himself guaranteed we would have problems, but only through Him we will have true peace as He has already conquered the world and its problems (John 16:33). When you are confronted about your faith, don’t be afraid of what to say, it will not be your words, but God’s. Keep persevering with Jesus, He’s where true life is (Matthew 10:32, Hebrews 12:1-2).

Prayer

Lord, when I am approached about my faith, let it be Your Words that speak through me, not mine. Remind me that You are with me when problems arise. Don’t let me grow lukewarm, but grant me perseverance in my relationship with You. In Your name I pray, amen.