Luke 21:27-38
What is all of life and time headed toward? Jesus coming back and heaven and earth being smashed together. Our hope and joy are pinned to the fact that Jesus is coming back. Biblical justice is restoring all things; the undoing of wrong.
The signs are not mile markers telling us how close we are to the destination. When Jesus gives signs they are obvious and can’t be missed. We don’t have to guess at them. All the others are indicators of the age we live in. Since we don’t know when we need to be ready. He is coming as judge and king. When you see Him coming on the clouds it’s too late to change course.
Redemption and Kingdom have overlap, but are not synonymous in this passage. The kingdom exists outside of me and redemption is my attainment of it. The suffering we see around us will only last so long. Pick your head up because your redemption is drawing near.
In Luke 17 Jesus says the Kingdom is already here because He is here. The parable of the fig trees is telling us that God’s Kingdom is close and a comfort not that it is almost here. Fig trees are unique in comparison to other trees. Fig trees are the last to leaf out all the way. By the time they have all their leaves it is already fully summer. The implication isn’t that it is coming. It is here. The form of the Greek word “near” Luke 21:31 “eggys” at hand, near, ready. Mark 1:15 “eggizō” coming near, drawing neigh. When Jesus talks of our redemption he uses “eggizō” to mean it’s coming. When he talk about the Kingdom he uses “eggys” meaning it is with us, near to us. The Kingdom isn’t on its way. It is here.
Jesus moves fluidly with layers in symbolism. The layer of the sacking of Jerusalem is fulfilled literally when he is looking at the disciples saying they won’t pass away till what he says happens. The other use of the term “this generation” is to mean a group that has the same type of person not a chronology. What kind of people is Jesus referring to here? Proud and boastful people whose goal is to be seen, persecutors, family members who will turn you in and abandon you because of faith.
In the first century “Heaven and Earth” was figurative for the temple. The place where heaven meets earth was the temple. This building might be destroyed, but my words won’t.
Vs 34-36 Jesus knows that even though he is warning them, it is going to be very hard so he challenges and encourages them. Don’t focus on the scary things and in the waiting don’t put your hope in the wrong things. Jesus brings up addiction that we use to numb and distract ourselves. These other things will eventually get their hooks in you and distract you. Also, don’t get so laser focused on the scary things so that you despair. Instead, pray. Put your focus on Jesus. Pray for strength and dependence on God. “If your reliance on God could be measured by your prayer life, how would you fare?” - Miller
Vs 37-38 Narrative closing that gives historical details that add credibility. They were staying in an air bnb outside of the city. There is a bit of shock to the return to the mundaneness of life after flipping tables and arguing with religious leaders. He models not despairing or distracting, but staying faithful.