Luke 22:31-34

​How many times have we been over-confident in our ability? In Luke 22, Jesus warned Peter, a zealous follower of Jesus, that Satan sought to destroy him.
How many times have we tried to impress with our allegiance?  Peter tried to assure Jesus nothing would stop him from following Him.
How many times have we promised to stay dedicated to the cause no matter the cost, yet in our own strength, we failed? Peter exclaimed,"Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." Yet, Jesus knew the truth about Peter. He told Peter that when that day would come, even before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times.  
Peter, in his own strength, was not strong enough. Jesus told him, "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
There was hope for Peter. There is hope for us. One day Peder's faith would become so strong that he would indeed die for the sake of Jesus Christ. 

It is not enough to have a strong will to keep us on the right path. We might feel ready and brave enough, but if we are relying on ourselves those feelings will only take us so far. We are weak and sinful. We must hand it over and rely on Jesus, who the Bible says is the author and finisher of our faith. He will get us through every difficulty.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because  you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.… (James 1:2-4)

...He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why for the sake of Christ,  I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Luke 22:24-30

​"You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" The disciples had just asked Jesus which one of them was the greatest. We must understand that God's definition of greatness is far different than ours. 

Oh, how we love the thought of becoming great- to be famous, powerful, strong and rich! Hollywood celebrities earn our adoration for their good looks and stage appeal. Athletes are admired for their god-like strength. The powerful and wealthy are glorified as those who have attained the highest standard possible. It is our sinful nature to put these people on pedestals, to see their elaborate lifestyles as our goals.

We celebrate those we deem great by serving them. We give them awards and accolades and the best seats in the house. We are eager to have them notice our devotion and admiration so perhaps, we might earn their favor and in due time, rise up to their status.  

When His disciples, seeking an ego boost, asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest among us," Jesus caught them off-guard. "Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves." As these 12 men reclined around the supper table, it was Jesus, the Master, who was serving. 

Jesus was trying to turn their thinking upside down. tell them that this was what it was all about. Very soon Jesus, the Son of God, would be serving them in the greatest way possible. That very night He would be handed over to the authorities and as an innocent man, would suffer and die on a cross to pay the debt of sinners. He also knew that those men devoted to serving Him would mature in their faith, laying down their lives as they shared the message of the cross. 

Consider these passages as you ponder the story of "Who is the Greatest" in Luke 22:

Jesus, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to cling to, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:20) 

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.… (John 15:12-14)

He that finds his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:39) 

Luke 22:1-23

Washed and anointed,
The passover lamb;
Sold to the temple,
Was the great I am.

Judas against Jesus,
By Satan's command;
Arrested and betrayed,
Into enemies hands.

Jesus foreknew,
this night was God's plan;
"Prepare us a place,
Find the water man."

One Last Supper, 
To explain again;
God's gift for us,
The Passover Lamb

The disciples reclined,
At Jesus command.
He thanked His Father,
And the meal began.

This is my body,
For you it will be broken. 
This is my blood,
Poured out atonement.

God will pass over you,
Like He did before;
When a lamb was killed.
It's blood on the door.

A sacrifice made,
each year to cover sin;
Over and over,
To wash you clean again.

But God has now provided,
The final perfect lamb;
Who will give himself over,
Reconciling you to Him.

Eat of this bread.
Drink of this fruit.
Receive my gift of life.
As I lay mine down for you.

For God so loved,
He gave us His perfect Son,
The last sacrifice;
God's new Covenant.

​(From Luke 22) 

Luke 21:34-38

​"...Straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

As the crowds turn against you,
Fear might cause you to feel weak,
Your body might tense knowing,
It's the killing of your faith they seek.
As the heavens burst and rage, 
Many hope to not be found,
While the seas rise and collapse,
People flee to higher ground.
Then with power and glory,
Heaven's Maker will light the sky.
Make way for the King, the angels shout.
The time has come for Christ to draw nigh!
Come out from among them, child.
Straighten up and be ready.
Lift up your face, have no fear.
Raise your hands to the heavens.
Your redemption is finally here.

(From Luke 21)

~Jennifer Szczyrbak 

Luke 21:1-33

​This will be an opportunity to bear witness.
The temple in Jerusalem was beautiful. Inside was an array of treasures given by wealthy donors. Artist's work made of gold adorned the marble walls and portico. The marble stones were expertly quarried and pieced together making this one of the most amazing structures in the world. Each morning as the sun rose, the gold plated temple wall gleamed from its reflection.
While Jesus and His followers were leaving the temple, one of his disciples began admiring its splendor. Jesus said to him, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." 
Jesus was predicting the upcoming destruction of the temple. He went on to tell them about how things would grow increasingly worse for them as His kingdom grew near. The disciples listened closely thinking these things would take place soon. Although the temple would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD, Jesus was speaking of all that would take place leading up to His return as judge and king over all the earth in the age to come.
Jesus warned that before He established His kingdom there would be false Christ's, false prophets, wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, lawlessness, betrayal amongst brothers, and much unrest in the world.
He spoke of how His followers would be hated, persecuted, even put to death and of how many who said they were believers, would fall away when things became hard. For those who truly believed, Jesus reminded them of the great opportunity this would be to bear witness of their faith. 
He assured them not to worry, but instead to trust Him. He would give them "a mouth if wisdom" which no enemy would be able to argue against. He assured His followers, let that be you and me, that their perseverance would ensure their eternal reward in Heaven.
(Luke 21)

Luke 21:1-4

​Having abundant wealth, they gave poorly.
The sound of their many coins as they poured into the offering containers made such a loud noise that everyone had to turn and see. Surely these highly blessed people gave the most generous offerings!
These donors may have felt quite confident at that moment, trusting the Lord was pleased with their immense gift.
They had so much, but only gave in part, making sure they still had plenty left over to comfortably take care of themselves.
Then there was that lowly woman who nobody noticed until Jesus pointed her out.
She was poor and widowed, yet she richly gave.
Hoping it was enough, she might have blushed by the barely audible plinks her two copper coins made as they were faithfully surrendered into the offering container.
Their value was little, yet they were like treasures of great worth.
Those two coins were all she had.
She gave everything, even though by comparison it seemed like nothing.
She trusted all she had to the Lord that no matter what, He would give her all she needed, faithfully trusting Him one day at a time.
Jesus pointed out, using her example, what giving up what we treasure looks like.
Following Jesus will come with a cost, but He promises to be right here with us giving us what we need day by day. Trusting in the temporal things of this world will have little value in the end. Trusting in the Lord will have eternal value.
(From Luke 21)

"He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him."

In Luke 20, Jesus is continually being put to the test by the Jewish leaders who did not trust Him. They sent men to spy on Him and tried to frame Him by asking Him questions that they thought would cause Him to say something incriminating.
Yet Jesus never stumbled. They stumbled over Him. His answers left them speechless and amazed at His authority and His understanding of the Scriptures. Sadly, this did not sway them to trust in Him as their Lord and Savior.
The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and were hoping to catch Jesus off guard by giving Him a scenario about a woman whose husband died. The husband had seven brothers. One by one, She married brother after brother and they each died leaving her no children. Being a widow 8 times over, The Sadducees asked Jesus, "In the resurrection, whose wife will the woman be?"
Jesus answered, The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living for all live to him."

Those who have not been found worthy because they never believed in Jesus Christ as their Lord, will be found dead in their sins and will be raised up from the grave for judgement. Yet, those who are considered worthy are sons of the resurrection. Did you catch that? When we repent of our sins and give our life to the Lord, we have been made alive through Jesus Christ. Like Him, we are now a child of the Father and because of Christ's death for our sins, we have been made alive and will live to God forever.

"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.…" John 3:14-16

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:3-5
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