Ready and Waiting.

 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36 ESV)
Whenever we see the word "but", we need to look back at what was just said, to see what we should do instead.  Instead of worrying about the disasters if the last day we are to focus on ourselves and our readiness.  True watchfulness is not watching from the windown and running to the bus when it stops at the corner. It is being there, where we should be - praying daily, involved in the life of the Kingdom of God, not stuck in the hustle of this life and living for fleeting pleasures.  We need to live life knowing we are going to "stand before the Son of Man."

Look for Life

 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:29-33 ESV)
Often, when we think about the signs of Christ's coming, we are drawn to the disasters.  As these increase, we do know the time is near.  But what He wants us to focus on is the Kingdom of God being near, and for His followers that is deliverance, not destruction.  It is Him keeping His promises.  It is the beautiful warmth of summer, not the drear darkness of winter.  Rejoice, our redemtion draweth near!

Stand up and look to the horizon...

 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(Luke 21:25-28 ESV)
As Jesus leaves the immediate future of His disciples and looks ahead long-term, things look rather scary.  And for one without Christ, they are.  But we are to have another perspective when we see His coming getting closer.  We are to stand up and take notice, because our Savior is coming.  We are not to look with fear to the horizon, but to look with anticipation for our salvation to be complete.  How do you look into the future?

He knew...

 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:20-24 ESV)
Jesus finally gets back to the original question: When would the city fall and how would they know it? Jerusalem would be surrounded.  Conventional wisdom would say to run within the city walls for protection, but there they would not find it.  The city did fall, and many followers of Christ did heed His call to flee and escape the slaughter.  What we are all waiting for now is the full restoration and what we will see next...

In this middle of all this is...

 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.”  Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. (Luke 21:9-19 ESV)
Your opportunity.  That is what is in the middle of all the wars and disasters and persecutions. That is what life will include, until He comes.  Rather than being filled with fear or wanting to flee, we need to "settle it in our minds" that we will not allow ourselves to be overcome, but  we will respond to these things with faith in Him to give the wisdom and words we need to face life's challenges.  What an opportunity to have Him work in us!

And the answer is... a warning

 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. (Luke 21:5-8 ESV)
Jesus often answered a question with a question, but now that the insincere questions have been silenced, he answers one His disciples ask which He incited: "When will this calamity happen and how can we know it's coming?" His answer? "Watch out for false teachers.  Do not go after them."
Jesus knew full well that we so much want to know the future that we often follow anyone who seems to have a line on it.  People flock to fortune tellers and apparent prophecy specialists - wanting to know the future.  Do not go after them. Stay the course of following Him.

Give till you totally trust

 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4 ESV)
As Jesus watched those who had come to the Passover bring their offerings, which they had been saving up for this occasion, He comments on the contrast between their giving. This extremely poor widow - one of those who He had just mentioned in the setting before this; one who had been taken lightly and taken advantage of by the selfish scribes - she gives more than all combined, as she gives all she has left.  She gave more than till it hurt; she gave till it seemed right, till she fully trusted God to provide her every need.  How much do I trust God?