30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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Luke 21 10-19 WATCH AND PRAY II 08 Luke 21 16-17 The awesome reality of Jesus
📖 Luke 21:10-19
18May2021 - *The awesome reality of Jesus* - _Luke 21:10-19_ - WATCH AND PRAY II (8) – Bible reading: _John 12:24-26_
As we live in the very last days of this age, we realise that we are in challenging times. Though we face these frightening situations, we rejoice because the Lord is with us. Yes, He has always been with us. He has never left us nor forsaken us.
Yet, this is a special period, when we are and we will experience the comfort of the Lord in unique ways. Ways that we had never experienced before, which will draw us closer to Him. We will and we are experiencing *the awesome reality of Jesus*.
_Luke 21:16-17 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. (17) And you will be hated by all for My name's sake._
This is one of those disturbing passages in the Bible. The Lord is warning us that persecution will begin from our homes. We have seen this again and again. Those who accepted Jesus and have sought to live for Him, have had to face stiff opposition and resistance from their own loved ones.
The perspective that a person must adopt and own is this one. _John 12:24-26 Most assuredly, I say to you, *unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies*, it produces much grain. (25) He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (26) If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor._
From the beginning of our journey with Jesus, this is the message that we must internalise and we must also share with others that *this life in Christ is a life of being like a seed that falls into the ground and dies*.
The Christian life is like the seed that falls into the ground and dies.
A person must be made aware that he or she dies to the old life when the person receives Christ. This person dies to the old form and substance. Dies to the old way of life. Dies to the comforts and its comfort zones that the person has been used to. Dies to the habits, desires, ambitions and goals. Dies to the old acquaintances and lifestyle and many more such deaths, only then will the person germinate to a totally new life.
If the person thinks that now I have the new life in Christ, without realising that there needs to be the death of the old person that person will struggle and will undergo severe bewilderment, disappointments and distresses.
When a person dies to the old and rises to the new the world will not be happy.
Initially, they may applaud and appreciate saying that you have become a better person but slowly as the new believer begins to take a stand on issues and chooses to walk the path of being a disciple of Jesus that is when the ridicule, the mockery, the scorn and then the outright hatred will begin to show up.
_John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. *In the world you will have tribulation*; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."_
The Lord is telling us, categorically, that in the world we will face tribulation but we need not fear but be of good cheer for Jesus has overcome the world.
The Lord is encouraging us and calling us to quickly come into the habitat of God. It is necessary for us to understand that God is our habitat. Our security, identity, fulfilment, happiness, future are all found in Jesus.
He is our destination. When we come to Jesus, we have come to our place of rest.
Persecution is actually a means by which we are driven to this place of making God our habitat. God is sovereign and He uses even persecution as a means to bring us into the place of rest in Him.
Paul encourages Timothy, reminding him of his life experiences.
_II Timothy 3:10-12 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, (11) persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) *Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution*._
As we understand what the Lord is teaching us, then, these verses, _Luke 21:16-17 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. (17) And you will be hated by all for My name's sake._ don’t seem to be as threatening as they would otherwise sound.
*Thought to ponder*
```Life in the awesome reality of Jesus cannot be traded for any other alternative.```