Heart Checks

This chapter opens with the widow’s offering and Jesus’s testimony regarding her choice to give all that she had in her poverty.  This will forever challenge us, the rest of our Christian walks!

No verses in the bible have ever been used more in our weekly contribution heart checks.

Jesus didn’t use the average income person to deal with our hearts, but instead a poor woman who owned almost nothing, yet had her priorities  in the correct order. We can all justify her action with rationalizations all day long, but the truth is, she understood the Martha and Mary principals of God’s Kingdom better than us!

The remainder of Chapter 21 is under the tutelage of the End of Times.

Jesus warns us to watch out!  Do not be deceived.  It is not for us to know, but be on guard nonetheless. Jesus give us insight to open our eyes and see the pestilences in various places. 

As I think over the last year, I see them.  Wars, COVID-19, tsunamis,  hurricanes,  tornadoes, forest fires, earthquakes, floods, etc. 

Jesus is clears these things must happen first, before the end of times.  Why? 

Jesus says they are great signs from heaven.  What does he mean?

It is my strong belief, that without hardships, where would my need for God be?

It is usually in the most difficult times of life that generally non-believers become believers!

Why would an all powerful God, need to allow hardships, persecution and death come our way? I often do wonder this, but see in verse 15 (and many other verses),  Jesus promises us a defense and guarantees us words and wisdom for our adversaries. “But not a hair on your head will perish” By standing firm we will gain life!

I’m convinced that we are not ever going to know when the end is coming and it’s never been intended for us to fully understand the “why's” and the “where’s”, but, when these things begin to take place, we must stand up and lift our heads because our redemption is drawing near!