Key Thought

Jesus found eager listeners. His habit during this last week in Jerusalem was predictable. If folks wanted to find him, they could. The Mount of Olives was his place of rest and prayer. The Temple was his location during the day. The people could find him, and they did. They drew near to listen to him. Little did they know they were hearing his last words. But, we know they were his last words before his fretful hours with the disciples and his trip to the Cross. So let's draw near and listen carefully and ask God to help us hear what was on Jesus' heart. Let us give thanks that God has chosen to reveal himself to us in such a human way.

Today's Prayer

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Father, how can I thank you for letting me overhear the last words of Jesus as he speaks to the crowds in the Temple, goes to the Mount of Olives, and ultimately goes to the Cross? Help me to not only hear his words, but also to be touched and changed by them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

"You will see armies all around Jerusalem. Then you will know that the time for the destruction of Jerusalem has come. At that time, the people in Judea should run away to the mountains. The people in Jerusalem must leave quickly. If you are near the city, don't go in! The prophets wrote many things about the time when God will punish his people. The time I am telling you about is the time when all these things must happen. At that time, it will be bad for women that are pregnant or have small babies. Why? Because very bad times will come to this land. God will be angry with these people (the Jews). Some of the people will be killed by soldiers. Other people will be made prisoners and taken to every country. The holy city of Jerusalem will be walked on by non-Jewish people until their time is finished. "Amazing things will happen with the sun, moon, and stars. The people on earth will feel trapped. The oceans will be upset, and the people will not know why. People will become afraid. They will be very worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed. Then people will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, don't fear. Look up and be happy! Don't worry. Be happy, because you know that the time when God will free you is near!" Then Jesus told this story: "Look at all the trees. The fig tree is a good example. When it becomes green (grows buds), you know that summer is near. It is the same with these things I told you would happen. When you see all these things happening, then you will know that God's kingdom is coming very soon. "I tell you the truth. All these things will happen while people of this time are still living! The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed; but the words I have said will never be destroyed! "Be careful! Don't spend your time drinking and getting drunk. Or don't be too busy with worldly things. If you do that, you will not be able to thinkright. And then the end might come when you are not ready. It will come like a surprise to all people on earth. So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be strong enough to continue safely through all these things that will happen. And pray that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man. " During the day, Jesus taught the people in the temple area. At night he went out of the city and stayed all night on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go listen to Jesus at the temple.

— Luke 21:20-38 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.