Luke the beloved physician shared how Jesus' disciples asked Him, “Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: go you not therefore after them. But when you shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twelve of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you” where we read:
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
The verse reads, “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, ...” Luke began with the words, “but before all these” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover in advance and prior to the earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights and great signs”, “they shall lay their hands on you” which means “people will arrest, capture and seize the disciples of Jesus with their physical hands”, “and persecute you” or “and harass, trouble, molest and mistreat Jesus' disciples”. Luke shared how Jesus said in advance of all the cataclysmic events that would happen upon the earth, His disciples would be accosted, harassed and troubled by opposing people.
The verse continues, “... delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.” Luke added the words, “delivering you up” or “giving you over to the power or use to take care of, manage or condemn” “to the synagogues” which means “toward the sacred worship places where an assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures”, “and into prisons” or “and in guards, watch, sentinels and where captives are kept”, “being brought before kings” which means “being carried, lead and directed in the presence of the leaders of the people, princes, commanders and lords of the land” “and rulers” or “and governors, guides, presidents, chiefs, commanders and sovereigns” “for my name's sake” which means “because, since and on account of Jesus' reason and cause”. Luke shared how Jesus said the people who “captured” His disciples would “give them over” in the “sacred worship” places and in “sentinels” where “captives” are kept, and they would be carried before “leaders, governors and commanders” because of the cause of Jesus.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the disciples of Jesus were to be greatly mistreated in advance of all the cataclysmic events upon the earth. People would not only oppose them, but they would “seize” them, “harass them”, capture and imprison them. The “cause” of Christ would have a “cost”, and those who followed Jesus and promoted His gospel would be greatly troubled because of their belief in Him. God sent His Son Jesus to suffer, be persecuted and eventually die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. Those who believe and trust in Him will pay a price for their faith, but God will observe everything they do for Him and His Kingdom and reward them greatly.
Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “it shall turn to you for a testimony”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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