Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - Carry my name

Reflection: There is a sense that artists are the prophets of our time. They push the boundaries and in doing so, tell us where society is going.

There was a time when God was honoured in art and architecture. In doing this, artists were extolling all things good and godly. Today Western artists have put a crucifix in a jar of urine (the American artist Andres Serrano) and displayed crosses upside down (at Tasmania’s Dark Mofo festival) in their fervour to proclaim their emancipation from any God who would dare to presume to define what is good and true.

Society is following their lead. News articles now report that Christians are being sacked or cancelled because they hold on to conventional Christian beliefs, views that are not currently on trend. This is the brave new world in which you and I (and all Christians) have been called to “carry God’s name.” Living in this new world order will call for both wisdom and courage. Above all, it will call for faithfulness. Jesus warned us, saying: ‘If they persecuted me, they would persecute you also’ (John 15:20). You will be demonised and labelled as being hateful, irrespective of the truth.

I say this, not to be alarmist, but because it has become a reality in recent years. The early church saw suffering for Christ as a privilege (Matthew 5:11-12; James 1:2-4), and although they went out of their way to avoid needless trouble, they didn’t shy away from carrying the name of Jesus to those who did not know it (Acts 6:27-32).

This mantle has now fallen on you. Please carry God’s name well.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, persecution is beginning to come upon the Western church. I don’t want to be frightened by it. Rather, I want to be refined by it so that my life becomes a faithful reflection your grace and truth.

Luke 21:1-38

The Widow’s Offering

1As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

8He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

12“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13And so you will bear testimony to me. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17Everyone will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19Stand firm, and you will win life.

20“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Carry my name

Day 4 of 14

NIV

Luke 21:12

Days

Luke 21:1-38