Luke 22:39

Luke 22:39 says, And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.  Jesus went on His way to the mount of Olives, which was what He normally did, and His disciples followed Him.  Even if we know that we are to face persecution, or even death, we must continue to follow Jesus as we always have as Christians.  Verse forty adds, And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.  When Jesus arrived at the place that He was going, He told the disciples to pray, so that they would not fall into temptation.  This warning still applies to us as followers of Christ today.  Verse forty-one states, And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,  Jesus went about a stone’s throw away from the disciples and knelt down and prayed.  Sometimes, we need to get alone by ourself, kneel down, and pray for God's continued guidance.  Verse forty-two adds, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  Jesus prayed that if there was any other way for people to have salvation that the Heavenly Father show Him before He went to the cross, but there was no other way.  There still is no other way to salvation than by faith in Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  Verse forty-three continues, And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  While Jesus was praying that if there was another way to let it be shown, an angel appeared to strengthen Him.  If we are faithful to God, He will always give us the spiritual strength to accomplish anything He calls us to do.  Verse forty-four declares, And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  Even though He was in agony, Jesus prayed even more earnestly, and it was as though He were sweating blood.  This was a real struggle for Jesus, and if there were any other way for people to have salvation, He wanted it to be revealed.  Faith in Jesus Christ is still the only way to salvation, and always has and always will be.  Verse forty-five adds, And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,  When Jesus returned to His disciples after His agonizing time of prayer, He found them sleeping.  As God agonizes over the fate of lost people today, He does not need to find us, as followers of Christ, spiritually sleeping.  Verse forty-six adds, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.  Jesus asked them why they were sleeping, then told them to rise and pray, lest they should fall into temptation.  We need to be doing the same thing today.  We certainly don't need Jesus to ask us why we are spiritually sleeping when there are so many people who need to hear His word. 

Luke 22:31

Luke 22:31 says, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:  Jesus told Simon Peter than Satan was ready to sift him like wheat because he, Satan, desired to have him.  Satan still wants people today, especially those who are close to putting their faith in Jesus Christ.   Verse thirty-two adds, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.  Jesus said that He had prayed for Peter, that his faith might be strengthened, and that after he was converted he would be a source of strength for the other disciples.  What we  may sometimes forget is that the disciples did not truly understand Who Jesus really was, but Jesus was praying for them.  Jesus will always be praying for people to be converted and to grow in faith after they are.  Verse thirty-three states, And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.   Peter declared his unwavering faith to Jesus, saying he was ready to follow Him to prison or death, but he was speaking from faith in himself and not faith in Jesus.  We may make bold claims about our faith in Christ, but the question is whether or not we are making it based on self pride or true faith.  Verse thirty-four adds, And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.  Jesus told Peter that in spite of his bold statement that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed.  Our statements made based on self pride will not always keep us faithful to Christ.  Verse thirty-five says, And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.  Jesus reminded the disciples of when He had sent them out without money, and asked if they lacked anything, and they answered that they lacked nothing.  When God sends us out today to do whatever He has called us to do, He will provide for our needs and we will lack nothing that we need to accomplish whatever we are sent to do.  Verse thirty-six adds, Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.  Jesus warned the disciples that once He was gone that they would not have it as easy.  Real persecution was coming, and this is something that we must be prepared to face today as Christians.  Still, if we remain faithful to Christ, we will always have everything that we need to remain victorious spiritually.  Verse thirty-seven declares, For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.  Jesus warned them of His coming death on the cross where He would be counted among the transgressors.  Some people still see Him the same way today, because they have not put their faith in Him.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.  The disciples took inventory of their weapons, and said thay only had two swords.  Jesus said that was enough.  Whatever we have today when we put our faith in Jesus Christ will be enough to keep us spiritually safe forever.  The things of this world will never save us.

Luke 22:21

Luke 22:21 says. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.  While celebrating passover with His disciples, also to become known as the Lord’s Supper or the Last Supper, Jesus said that the one who would betray Him was at the table.  One of Jesus's closest followers, at least in name, was the one who would betray Him.  There are still many people who profess to be close followers of Christ today whose actions betray Him.  Verse twenty-two adds, And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!  Jesus said He was going where it was determined that He had to go, but He still pronounced woe on the one who betrayed Him.  Those who profess to follow Christ but betray Him by their actions will still find themselves in a woeful situation.  Verse twenty-three states, And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.  The disciples began to ask amongst themselves who would do this.  Eleven were unsure, only knowing that it wasn't them, but one, Judas, knew he was the one.  All we can ever be sure of is our own relationship with Jesus Christ, and if anyone is going to betray Him, we need to make certain that it isn't us.  Verse twenty-four adds, And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.  While questioning who would betray Jesus, the disciples then got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest.  They quit thinking about the betrayal and let self pride take over, focusing on their own role in relationship to the other disciples instead of focusing on what was about to happen with Jesus.  We as Christians should never attempt to declare ourselves greater than any other Christian, but should always focus on Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-five says, And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.  Jesus used the example of earthly kings and the fact that those who exercised power on his subjects were called benefactors, even though he is in a position of power over his subjects.  Jesus is the benefactor of all who put their faith in Him, but He is also in authority over them.  Verse twenty-six adds, But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  Jesus told the disciples that they were not to be as earthly kings, seeking to be in power and to be seen as benefactors to those that they witnessed to.  Jesus tells us if we want to be great in His kingdom that we must see ourselves as the least.  Jesus Himself is the benefactor, and we will always be simply sinners saved by grace, and there is no room for self pride or a feeling of superiority to others in our life.  Verse twenty-seven continues, For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Jesus then asked them who was greater, the one being served at the table or the one who served him.  He said that the one being served was greater, but even though He was greater than all, He came to serve.  We are never to feel superior to other Christians, but we are simply to remain servants of Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-eight declares, Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.  Jesus told the disciples they had been with Him during His temptations, and we must remain close to Him today when the world tempts people to ignore or deny Him. Verse twenty-nine adds, And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;  Just as the disciples were appointed to be a part of God's kingdom and do His work in the world, so are we as followers of Christ.  Verse thirty continues, That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Like the disciples, if we are faithful to Jesus Christ, one day we will sit at His table. 

Luke 22:7

Luke 22:7 says, Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.  The time for the passover lamb to be killed was at hand, and Jesus is the only Passover Lamb that will ever suffice.  Verse eight adds, And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.  Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare a passover meal for Jesus and the twelve disciples.   As followers of Christ today, we are sent to prepare those who will listen to our testimony about Jesus Christ for the coming passover when Jesus returns or when we depart this old sinful world.  Verse nine asks, And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?  Peter and James asked Jesus where they should prepare the passover. As followers of Christ, we must look to God for guidance in all that we do.  Verse ten states, And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.  Jesus told Peter and James that when they got into the city they would see a man carrying a picture of water, and they were to follow him to his house.  Since men didn't normally carry the water, the man would be easy to spot.  God is not going to send us to do anything where there could be confusion about what we are to do.  Verse eleven adds, And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?  Jesus told them to say to the goodman of the house that the Master, Jesus Himself, wanted to know where the guestchamber was so they could prepare the passover to eat with His disciples.  Jesus did not send them into the situation unprepared, and we will not be sent into any situation by God that He does not prepare us to be ready to handle.  Also, God had to prepare the man to be ready to receive them and grant their request.  Verse twelve continues, And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.  Jesus said the master of the house would show them a large furnished upper room, and they were to make ready the passover there.  God already had everything ready for them, and He will have things ready for us today if we go in obedience to Him. Verse thirteen concludes, And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. When they went, they found things to be as Jesus said they would be, and they did as He instructed them to do.  When we go where God sends us today, we must do what He sends us to do if we are truly followers Christ. Verse fourteen says, And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.  When the time was right, Jesus sat down with His twelve disciples.  There is never a better place to be than where God wants us to be at the time He wants us to be there.  Verse fifteen adds, And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:  Jesus said He very strongly desired to eat this passover meal with them.  It would be His last and their last with Jesus physically present with them,  and it was shortly before He would unjustly suffer for the sins of all mankind.  Verse sixteen continues, For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  Jesus said this was to be His last meal on earth, before everything was fulfilled in the kingdom of God.  One day, we too as followers of Christ will have our last meal here on earth, then we will go on to live forever in the kingdom of God.  Verse seventeen declares, And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:   Jesus took the cup, Blessed it, and told the disciples to divide it amongst themselves.  There was no need for hogging it, because there was enough for them all, just as there is no need for attempting to hog salvation today, because there is enough for everyone.  Verse eighteen adds, For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.  Jesus said He Himself would not be drinking of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God should come.  There was no need for Him to drink of the cup which He would say represented His shed blood, because He was the One Who shed His blood for the redemption of all mankind.  Verse nineteen continues, And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Jesus took the bread, broke it,and said that it represented His body, and that they were to eat it in remembrance of Him.  We are still to do this today.  Verse twenty concludes, Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  After supper, Jesus took  the cup, Blessed it, and said that it represented His blood which was shed for them, and for everyone who has ever put their faith in Him.

Luke 22:1

Luke 22:1 says, Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.  The time of the feast of Passover was near.  This is a very important celebration for the Jewish people, since it commemorates the angel passing over their children when the Egyptian children were killed by God as a judgment of Pharoah.  Verse two adds, And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.  The chief priests and scribes were still trying to figure out how they could kill Jesus without suffering the wrath of the people who were following Him.  These were the most powerful religions people of that day, and they were trying to figure out how to kill Jesus safely.  Though many people are attempting to deny that Jesus Christ lived, died and was rose from the dead to be the everlasting Passover for all who believe in Him, let's hope that religions leaders aren't doing so.  Verse three states, Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.  Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples, those closest to Jesus.  I am not sure if he started following Jesus in sincerity and then found that He was not Who Judas wanted Him to be or not, but whatever his reasons, Judas now gave in to the influence of Satan.  He had not put his faith in Jesus alone.  People may attempt to follow Jesus without totally putting their faith in Him, but they will always fail by giving in to the influence of Satan.  There can be no followers of Christ who only partially believe in Him.  Verse four adds, And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.  Judas went to the chief priests and captains, the religious leaders, to see how he could best betray Jesus.  Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we cannot serve God, and some religious leaders may even try to lead us away from Jesus Christ.  If they pronounce that Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation, and we believe them, they are leading us away from Him and into following Satan.  Verse five continues, And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.  The chief priests and captains were glad to have one of Jesus's closest disciples to be willing to betray Him, so they paid Judas.  Too many professed Christians today are willing to sell out Jesus and what He teaches us if the price is right.  We cannot allow material gain to be more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ and faithfully follow Him.  Verse six adds, And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Judas promised these religious leaders that he would find a time to betray Jesus when the crowds weren't around.  He was in an ideal place to do this, and so are some today who claim to be followers of Christ in an ideal position to betray Him and even to lead others away from Him.

Luke 21:34

Luke 21:34 says, And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  Jesus warned those around Him to take heed that they didn't allow themselves to do certain things.  They were not to allow their hearts to become over filled with desires of the things of this world, they were not to be drunken, and they were not to be consumed with worry about the cares of this life.  We too often focus on the drunkenness and ignore the other two.  Jesus also said that if we are focused on the things of this world instead of on God, that His judgment day would catch us unaware, or unprepared.  Verse thirty-five adds, For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Jesus the said that God's judgment day would be like a snare, something that people did not see and got caught in, and that it would come to the whole world.  Everyone is going to be caught up in the judgment day, whether they believe in God or not.  Verse thirty-six states, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.  Jesus then told them that they were to watch and pray so that they would be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we need to daily pray for His guidance and to obey His will.  We do not earn salvation by this, because faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, but obedience to God's will proves that we have accepted Him.  Verse thirty-seven says, And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.  Jesus taught in the temple during the day and went up to the Mount of Olives at night.  We need to be teaching the world about Jesus as we go about our everyday life, but we also need time to rest and replenish our relationship with Him.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.  People were coming early every day to hear Jesus teach in the temple.  Today, we have a hard time getting people to come to church one or two times a week to hear God's word being preached and taught.  

Luke 21`20

Luke 2:20 says, And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  Jesus warned them of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and dispersion of the Jewish people.  He said when Jerusalem was besieged, that the desolation of it was near.  Verse twenty-nine adds, Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.  Jesus warned the people of Judea to flee to the mountains, and for the people of Jerusalem to leave the city while they could and not to let other people enter the city.  Matthew Henry says this tells us that we should not enter a city that God has abandoned, though I am not sure how we would know that He truly had, especially since they would be the ones most in need of the gospel.  Verse twenty-two continues, For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  Jesus said that these would be the days of vengeance, which would occur to fulfill the scripture.  We know that we have been given some signs of things to come before the return of Jesus Christ as well.  Verse twenty-three states, But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.  Jesus said there would be woe for expectant and young mothers in that day, because of all the destruction was going on around them.  In cities today where war is raging, it has to be rough on young mothers, who fear not only for their safety, but also with the safety of their child.  Verse twenty-four adds, And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  Jesus said that Jerusalem would fall and the people of Isreal would be oppressed by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles was fulfilled. This is the time that we have been living in since that happened, and one day it will come to an end.  Verse twenty-five says, And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  Jesus warned them that when the day of the Gentiles was ending, even the heavens would give warning.  Verse twenty-six adds, Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  Jesus warned that when these things began to happen that people would lose heart, but I believe that the followers of Christ never should.  Verse twenty-seven declares, And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  This definitely is a statement about the second coming of Christ, which will occur at the end of the days of the Gentiles.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.  Jesus tells us that when these things begin to happen that we are to look up.  We should always focus on God and keep our faith in Him.  We need to look up to God everyday,  and if we do, we will never be defeated no matter what happens in the world.  Verse twenty-nine says, And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;  Jesus then taught them with another parable, this one the parable of the fig tree.  Not everything that the Bible teaches us is spelled out completely, but we must read it under the direction of the Holy Spirit in order to understand what God is saying is us.  Verse thirty adds, When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.  Jesus said when we see new growth on the fig tree, we know summer is at hand.  Verse thirty-one continues, So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.  Jesus then tells us that when we see these things that He had spoken of come to pass, that the kingdom of God is at hand.  All we can say for certain is that His kingdom, which will be ushered in with the return of Jesus Christ is closer than it has ever been.  Verse thirty-two states, Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.  Jesus then spoke of the fall of Jerusalem and the beginning of the day of the Gentiles once more.  He said that that generation would not pass away before it happened.  Verse thirty-three adds, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.  Even if all the universe passes away, God's word will never pass away, and His word is all that we should put our faith in.