This chapter
begins with an account of an extremely poor woman. Jesus held her up as an
example for us. Although the amount she gave was miniscule in terms of dollars
and cents, it was a sacrifice for her (v 1-4). Jesus could see that her
priorities were with God. After this short story, we see Jesus’ third recorded
teaching on the End Times in Luke. Jesus knew that He was just a few short days
from His crucifixion but His disciples did not yet understand what was going to
happen (18:34). Imagine the pain in Jesus’ heart. He had to carry the burden of
knowing what was to come, but could not share it with His closest friends. He
knew that the disciples would not yet understand His teaching. However, He
trusted that they would store His words up in their hearts. After Jesus’
crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, the disciples would understand what
Jesus was talking about in these times. They couldn’t understand Jesus’ need to
come back a second time until they’d seen Him leave.
Journaling and Prayer
1. Sometimes Jesus gave the disciples teaching that
did not necessarily benefit them in the present, but would be critical
knowledge in the future. This still happens today. Sometimes we wholeheartedly
go through our devotional times and do not feel like we got anything profound
from Him. Often in these times God is placing His Word in our hearts for later
use. The Psalmist wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). Pray that God would
plant the truths that you have been reading in Luke deep in your heart, that
you might not sin against Him. God knows the future. Ask Him if there is
anything you should go back and review in order to prepare yourself for
something to come. For example, He may ask you to study a parable of Jesus so
that you can answer a co-worker’s question next week or He may give you a verse
to memorize that will help you withstand temptation.
2. Jesus taught about the End so that we would be
prepared to serve Him throughout any situation. How is your heart regarding
Jesus’ return? Are you fearful? Are you more interested in gaining knowledge
about the End Times or in growing in intimacy with Jesus? Ask Jesus to reveal
why He taught so much about His Return. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you love
Jesus more and to grow in anticipation of His Return.
3. Pray for our leaders at Southland. Ask God to
give them wisdom in preparing our church for Jesus’ Return. Ask that God would
guide them in their teaching, shepherding and praying so that we as a Body
would love Jesus more. Pray that God would strengthen their marriages and
empower them to be better parents.
