Before Jesus Left

Luke 21:15-38 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life. "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then 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. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How 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. They 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. "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. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. "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. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be 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." Each 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, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Keywords: word, wisdom, nurse, mother, leaves, and season.

Word(s): Utterance or saying that may refer to a single work, the entire law, the gospel message, or even Christ.[1] In the Old Testament, dabar is the Hebrew for word. There were three types of words in the Old Testament. There were Prophetic, Legal, and Creative. In the New Testament, logos and hrema are Greek for word. Jesus’ message of the coming kingdom is an example. The power of the word when spoken by God is irresistible potency and absolute creative power. Man’s blessing, like the one given to Jacob by Isaac, is based on social customs. Words are capable of great good and great evil. Words can deeply injure, as well as revive. Words can have a widespread influence.

Wisdom and Wise Men: Educated classes of people responsible for preserving and transmitting the culture and learning of society.[2] Real wisdom is the fear of God. The real essence of wisdom is spiritual for life is more than just living by a set of rules and being rewarded physically. Wisdom comes from God. The wise men preserve this wisdom. Wisdom was for the patriarch or head of the clan. It was for those who could read and write. The knowledge would be for the wealthy. Most wisdom is in poetic form. The poetry did not appear to rhyme in meter or sound. In 1753, Bishop Robert Lowth unlocked the key to such writing. It rhymed in thought. Some were the same thought whereas others were opposing thoughts to develop a given thought. They are known as proverbs, riddles, allegories, hymns, disputation, autobiographical narratives, didactic narratives, and lists. Wisdom became the guide for daily living. Sacred scripture has been considered under wisdom’s umbrella. The greatest books are Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The topics covered are knowledge, the world, justice, virtue, family, and faith.

Nurse: To nurse is the act of a woman who breast-feeding an infant. Children were nursed for as long as three years. Weaning was often a time of celebration. The term can refer to a woman who cares for a child such as a governess or nanny. Nurse is also used to refer to one who cares for the sick.[3]

Mother: Female parent who carries, gives birth to, and cares for a child.[4] The Bible refers to every aspect of motherhood: conception, pregnancy, the pain of childbirth, and nursing. A new mother was considered to be ritually unclean and an offering was prescribed for her purification. Mothers have the same rights to obedience and respect as fathers. Motherly virtues are compassion, for children, comfort for children, and sorrow for children.

Leaves: Foliage of plants or trees. Adam and Eve made their first clothes from leaves. Leaves are used as symbols of blessedness and cursedness. After the flood, the dove returned with an olive leaf. The leaf was hope that the water would subside and dry land would be available. Leaves are a sign of healing power. They also serve as images of judgment.[5]

Season: 1. Indefinite but somewhat extended period of time

2. Regularly scheduled, recurring time

3. To add ingredients to food to improve the flavor

4. A particular part of a year

5. A particular part of a year

6. Indefinite part of a day

7. Time appointed by God

8. Proper time for an action.[6]

The passage is words of encouragement for the disciples. Jesus knows that he is going to leave them soon. He offers them hope and understanding that the appearance is worse for the unbelievers. The believers know that God has prepared a place for them. The world will hate the believers, but standing firm, praying, and seeking God will allow strength to fight to the end.

Jesus left the Holy Spirit with us. The Holy Spirit is our guide through all the terrors of this world. Jesus encourages the disciples and us to be calm during future events. We have a savior that loves and cares for us. Avoid acting fearful as the unbelievers. Let us stand together in prayer.

Bibliography

Brooks, James A. “Mother.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1127-1128. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Hatchett, Randy. “Word(s).” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1666-1667. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Hunt, Harry. “Wisdom and Wise Men.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1657-1658. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Leaves.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 999. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

“Nurse.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1171. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

“Season.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1423. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] Randy Hatchett, “Word(s),” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1666-1667.

[2] Harry Hunt, “Wisdom and Wise Men,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1657-1658.

[3] “Nurse,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1171.

[4] James A. Brooks, “Mother,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1127-1128.

[5] “Leaves,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 999.

[6] “Season,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 1423.