Luke 21:5-19 Take Heed, Do Not Follow, Do Not Be Afraid

5. And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 

6. "As for these things which you see - the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."

◇ The disciples were marveling at the beauty and grandeur of the Jerusalem temple. Seeing this, Jesus declares that the time will come when not one stone will be left upon another - the temple will be completely destroyed. He foretells the ultimate fate of Jerusalem, which has turned away from God.

This is the end of the powerful and wealthy rulers of Jerusalem, who have been living in luxury with the precious two mites of the poor widow.

Jesus strongly commands His disciples: 1) Be on guard against deception, 2) Do not follow them, 3) Do not be afraid. When the world is in turmoil with wars, famines, and pestilences, evil ones will take advantage of the anxiety and fear to mislead people. He is awakening their vigilance against such deceivers.

It is like what we see in our country today - those who sell the name of God and the church to fatten their own bellies, and the people who follow and are exploited by them. Their end will be like that of Jerusalem. We must be on guard against this.

♧ Good and righteous God, I am speechless and despairing at the brazenness and hypocrisy of the evil ones. How can they be so shameless and depraved? Grant us the strength and courage to not be deceived, to not follow such people, and to boldly stand against them without fear. Holy Spirit, empower us to be strong and courageous. Amen.