Luke 21

Bible Passage:  Luke 21

How many different colours do you see in this picture? From the top left and bottom right areas, we see three distinct colours – green, white and pink. How about the line that runs from the bottom left to the top right of the picture diagonally across? Does it consist of a darker shade of green and the colour red?

The entire picture comprises only the three colours which we have identified earlier. But when placed alongside each other, the pink and the green colours appear to be darker than they actually are.

An optical illusion! Were you fooled at first glance?

Here’s another, perhaps a more familiar picture. Do you see an old woman or a young girl in the picture?

What Jesus Saw

We read from the Bible many instances in which God saw things in a different way from ourselves. In the Old Testament, the people chose Saul for themselves to be king. God saw in David, a ruddy faced shepherd boy, the potential to reign over the nation. Even way before the period of kings, when man built the tower of Babel to reach to the skies, God saw the danger and destruction which man was bringing to himself and rectified the situation.

There are also three instances mentioned in Luke 21 which I’d like to highlight:

With Regards to the Widow and Her Offering of Two Mites

While the rich donated extravagant gifts into the treasury, Jesus observed a certain poor widow offering up small copper coins (Luke 21:1-2). They were the smallest currency available during those times, like the one cent we have today. To most people, they would scorn at the offering of such a meagre sum – the widow’s donation was insignificant in their eyes. What could a few cents do to help in the construction of the grand temple building they had in mind? But Jesus saw her donation from her perspective. She had given her all as offering to God, much more than the 10% tithes we offer up today. It was very likely her 100% (Luke 21:3-4). Her spirit of giving was far more commendable than that of the rich who gave out of their abundance.

With Regards to the Lavish Temple Construct

Many people praised and marvelled at the physical construct of the temple. The temple was spruced up under Herod the Great with new walls and enlarged areas. Great stones of 12 to 60 feet in length were used. According to historical records, decorations for the temple included gold and silver plated gates and expensive linen tapestries. Even the Roman historian, Tacitus, called it an ‘immensely opulent temple’. While the people stood in awe and admired the temple adorned with beautiful stones and donations (Luke 21:5), Jesus saw the transience of its existence. He saw the destruction which was to come to Jerusalem and in which the temple would be destroyed (Luke 21:6).

With Regards to the Persecutions in the End Times

Jesus spoke of persecutions to His disciples in the last days. Many will be fearful (Luke 21:9-11), deceived (Luke 21:8). There will be arrests and confrontations for those who dared to identify themselves with Jesus. Sufferings, hatred (Luke 21:17) and betrayal (Luke 21:16) will follow. Jesus saw all these as occasions where we can testify for Him. He does not just say this for His personal benefit, not caring for our end. Instead, he promises to protect us (Luke 21:18) and to provide the Holy Spirit to guide us in our speech as we testify for Him (Luke 21:13-15).

What We Can Try To See

It is not easy to change our first impressions or to take a different perspective of things.

In the first instance of the widow and her copper coins, we can try harder to put ourselves in the shoes of others and try to see things from their point of view. In essence, to empathise more with others instead of making hasty judgements. People have their own difficulties they have to face in life, some of which we may not know of. We tend to offer explanations for the actions of others based on our own experiences or upbringing. And these judgements we make on others may be entirely wrong!

In the second instance of the lavish temple, perhaps we should develop greater spiritual foresight instead of admiring something as valuable or denouncing something as worthless based on what we can see physically. Instead of pursuing better spiritual nurture or promoting the Word of God, the people wasted their time admiring the lavishly constructed temple. It is the character of the people worshipping in the temple that counts, not the outward grandeur of its construction. Paul began to see all that he had in the past as rubbish when he came to know God (Phil 3:8) and started living for Him.

In the third and last instance of the persecution in the end times, whilst we may be fearful and will have to go through sufferings, we must remember that God is with us and He already knew beforehand all these will happen. Knowing that our God is in full control, we can even turn persecutions into opportunities to proclaim and glorify His name, perhaps winning some soul for Him. If only we put our full trust in Him and endure right to the end, we will be saved.