DISSECTING LUKE 21 (PART 2)

Hi guys, so today's post is a continuation from my  last post on Dissecting Luke 21 and today's post is about the link between persecution and witnessing.


Persecution; the Platform for Witnessing

I always thought of persecution as the consequence for witnessing for the gospel but In Luke 21 Jesus  actually sets things straight.

In Luke 21 vs. 12-13 " But before all this happens, you will be seized and persecuted; you will be handed over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and brought before Kings and Governors for the sake of my name vs. 13 and that will be your opportunity to bear witness".

What Jesus is basically saying is when you start getting persecuted on account of His name and the Gospel that is the time to up the ante spiritually and witness for Him. Anytime you are given a platform intended to condemn you for your faith, it's not the time to whimp out or panic. Don't get me wrong, it's ok to be scared at first but you don't stay scared and fretting, you open your mouth, pray for strength and courage and let the Holy Spirit make you look good by Glorifying God.

Jesus tells us in vs. 14 to make up our minds not to prepare a defence. Why? Because He says in Vs. 15 that He Himself will give us an eloquence and a wisdom that none of our opponents will be able to contradict.

I know it's difficult to not try to be smart and "intellectual" in a bid to come out on top or prove that Christians are intelligent too but it's not necessary.

This particular struggle is one I identify all too well with. “Exhausting” doesn’t quite cover my university experience on this particular subject matter. I have an academic background in the social sciences which meant more often than not I was the only believer stuck in a seminar or lecture theatre filled with atheist on agnostic Social Scientists.  If I had to describe all of these experiences and the ensuing debates in one phrase it would be “Intellectualism unto Futility”.

I spent a decent amount of my time thinking of ways to counter Anti-Christ styled intellectual arguments and the rest of my time actually countering them. In the end, God had to help me understand that it’s not about having the superior argument. It's an absolute waste of time trying to engage on those terms because even when you beat down arguments with your "superior" debate, you've still not touched hearts and that's the ultimate goal. Not to mention, when you go that way, there's a lot of pride and consideration of self and honestly, it’s really not about us and how smart we are, it's about God.

This is what Jesus is trying to tell us when he says, "Make up your minds to not prepare a defence for yourself." He is saying in effect, step aside. When you do this, Jesus himself tells us that he will give us just what to say and none of our opponent will be able to contradict us. So if we can learn to not make it about us and coming out on top, then we will leave room for the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do. He will give us words that will confound human wisdom. We will be edified. Hearts and lives will be transformed and God will ultimately be glorified.

Side Note: If I’m being honest I’ve made like 25-30% progress since my Uni days so I’ll try to remember to take all this Spirit led advice when my appointment with persecution comes. It really did all sound good so good welling up from my Spirit Man, so grace for the doing bit shall surely follow. Amen? Amen!

Also, notice how I said “when” my appointment with persecution comes? Please guys, it is so important to make peace with this truth. Your day of persecution will surely come. Without a shadow of a doubt, you will be persecuted if you attempt to walk in righteousness and witness for Christ. Jesus promises us as much and none of His words will pass away. They will surely come to pass.

 In vs. 16-17 Jesus tells us a few of the ways persecution will come and good luck to us seeing that we belong to one of the most innovative generations yet. So whoop whoop to more creative channels of persecution.

 Jesus said “You will be betrayed even parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. 17 “You will be hated universally on account of my name."

 Sounds pretty straightforward and legit to me but let's remember to not be too hard on ourselves. Understand that it's not really you people hate, it's Jesus they have a problem with and now you not only carry Him on your inside in the person of the Holy Spirit but you are starting to look like Him. There's also that extra detail of being related to Him (Sons of God) so all in all things aren't looking too good for us on that note.

In vs. 20 through to 33 Jesus goes on to explain more of the persecution that awaits Jerusalem and the body of Christ. Then comes the glorious second coming of our Lord which will be liberation for the Children of God.

Side Note: I will be in heaven at that point because I can't even be bothered with final days drama. You should read 20-33 for more details. It’s a pretty solid and dramatic read with its own revelation locked in.

Jesus doesn’t say all of this to scare us, so courage! The glory set ahead, namely; eternal life with God is soo worth it. Besides, God promises that His grace is always sufficient enough for us and that everything that is born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4) so we come out of everything triumphant anyways.

But yeah, Tata to being agreeable in terms of your principles and belief system to unbelievers because God promises us that it ain't gonna happen. 

Finally, vs. 34 -36 explain something very important to us on how we should live every day of our lives. Jesus helps us understand that no matter how believing you are, you are not immune from falling away. He tells us just how to stay on guard and stay in the flock.

“Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come down on all those living on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to hold your ground before the Son of Man.”

Selah!