Luke 21

At the close of chap. xx. and the beginning of chap, xxi. we have a most instructive, though painful, contrast between the selfish hypocrisy of the scribes, whom He condemns lpefore the people, and the real devoted love of the widow, whom He singles out for honour. Kemark also that the Lord knows how to separate the intention of a sincere soul from the system that surrounds it, judging the whole state of that with which the individual is associated. Observe, further, the difierence of giving one’s living and one’s superfluity. It is easy to compliment Grod with presents, and thus really minister to self; but she who gives her living, gives herself in devotedness to God, and proves her dependence on God. Thus, the two mites of her who had these only, expressed all this perfectly; for there was need and everything else to hinder, while the applause of men and the pride of the donor found no place here. For Jewish splendour the act had little

worth; but the Lord saw, and bore witness of, the poor widow, blessed in her deed.

Yer. 5 and seq. The account which the Lord gives in this gospel of the sorrows of Jerusalem is also, like the preceding, much more allied to the simple fact of the judgment on the nation and the change of dispensation. It differs much from Matt. xxiv. which fully refers to what is to arrive at the end; while our gospel bears, more than the first two, on the then present time and setting aside of Jerusalem. Hence, Luke plainly sets forth the siege and destruction by Titus, and the times of the Grentile& Let it be observed also that the question in verse 7 extends only to the predicted destruction. Consequently, in what follows, we have the judgment on the nation taken as a whole, from ita then destruction till the times of the Grentiles (with whose economy this gospel is so much occupied) be fulfilled. Nation should rise against nation, signs from heaven and sorrows on earth follow. And before all these the disciples would be objects of hostility, but that would turn for a testimony instead of destroying theirs. They were to go on testifying, while the unhappy devoted city where they were filled up its iniquity. The Lord would permit trial, but not a hair of their head would be lost. But this would close. The sign given here is in no wise the abomination of desolation, but an historical fact — Jerusalem encompassed with armies. Its desolation now approached. They were then to flee not to return. These were days of vengeance (it is not said of the unprecedented tribulation, as in Matt., which is only in the latter day). All that was written was to be fulfilled. Great distress there wa9 in the land, and wrath on this peopla Slauglrter first and captivity afterwards wrought thear cruel work of devastation, and Jerusalem till this hour abides, the boast and prey of Gentile lords, and so must it be till their day is over. In these earlier verses (8 — 19) the Lord dwells on the dangers, duties and trials of the disciples before the sack of Titus. Specially were they to beware of a pretended deliverer, and of the cry that the time (ie., of deliverance) was at hand. Neither were they to be

p terrified bj wars or commotionB, any more than seduced by fair promises. These things must first be, but the end not immediately. Besides, it wa9 not only confusion and woes and signs of coming change and evil outside. Before all these they themselves were to be in affliction and persecution for Christ’s sake. Then, in verses 20 — 24, comes the actual judgment of the city and people, already judged virtually by His rejection. This extends down to our own days in principle. But all is not yet fulfilled. For in verse 25 begins the Lord’s description of the closing scene — a judgment not on the Jews merely, but on the Gentiles also; for the powers of the heavens, the source of authority, shall be shaken, as in Haggai iL and Heb. xii. This is not said to be immediately after the siege of Titus; but, on the contrary, room is left for the long course of treading down of Jerusalem under Grentiles, till their times are run out. It is in Matthew that we must look for the great tribulation of the last days, occupied as the first evangelist is with the consequences of Messiah’s rej ection, especially to Israel Therefore, it is said there, “Immediately after the tribidation of those days,” Le., the short crisis of “Jacob’s trouble” yet to come. Here, however, after mention of the times of the Grentiles, it is said that “there shall be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring, men’s hearts fedling them,” <&c. Men were astounded because they saw not the end, and trembled as they were dragged along to some unknown, awful conclusion. For principles were at work, they knew not how, dragging them along whether or no. The coming of the Son of man disclosed all the scene to the disciples. But it is clear from the circumstances, and especially from the character of the redemption spoken of, (ver. 28,) that it is a question, not of Christians, but of earthly disciples, and of an earthly deliverance by judgment here below. The Lord in mercy turns the terror of man into a sign of deliverance for the remnant of that day.

Vers. 31, 32 are interesting in this point of view here, because they furnish remarkable evidence, first, that the kingdom of God does not mean the gospel of His grace; and, secondly, that this generation ccmnot refer to the space of time from the prophecy to the destruction of Jerusalem. (1) For when they see these things coming to pass (and He had spoken of the final, universal trouble for the whole habitable earth, and not merely of what has befallen the Jews), they are to conclude that the kingdom of God is nigh. Now, even if it were only the Romans taking away their place and nation, and still more if it include the latter-day trouble, it is undeniable that the gospel had extended £ur and wide before the first. In fact the manifestation of its influence was dtelining rather before that time, as we see in the later epistles. But the things here seen were signs like the budding of the trees, and the kingdom of God is evidently to be at the coming of the king, when the Lord €k)d Almighty takes His great power and reigns. That there was a partial, analogous judgment when Jerusalem fell, is true, but verses 25 — 28 ought to leave no doubt of a wider, subsequent judgment, with signs wliieh introduoe, not the soirows of the Jews, but the Son of wian ooming in His kingdom. (2) For a pnmilarleaiBon ‘’this generation’’ does not ally to a mere Ufetime, but is viewed morally, as in Dent. xxxiL, PSb. xuL and many other sdiptoies. It is here expressl j pfat at the dose, after not only the &U of Jerusalem, bat the totally distmct scene of Christ’s coming in power and glory.

The expression in verse 33 is very solemn. I^eeper interests were involved than a casual change as to Jerusalem. The time was wrapped up in purposed obscurity, but nothing more sure than the facts predicted.

The Lord has provided for His then disciples what was needful, but also in the written word for the like times to come. Still, though the principle be always true, verse 34 clearly applies to a day to come on the earth. The privilege is to escape the judgments and stand before the Son of man. This again is earthly, npt the rapture to heaven. The great moial priur ciples, of course, remain true for all; specially indeed fi)r those who, by virtue of a higher calling, can enjoy them in a more excellent way.

Vers. 37, 38. The Lord yet returned to give testiinony, walking and working in the day; but His resting-place was there, whence He did depart, and where His feet shall stand in that day. Patient in service. He taught daily and early in the temple; at mgU

He was separate from the judged city. His time was now come.