Luke 21:25–36 – “Hope in the Waiting”

November 30, 2025

Advent Week 1

“Hope in the Waiting”

Luke 21:25–36

 

Service Overview: In a world full of distress and uncertainty, Advent begins with a call to hope. Jesus reminds us that even when fear grips the nations, His redemption draws near. We wait not with dread, but with watchful hearts and lifted heads. God keeps His promises, and our hope rests in the One who is coming soon.

 

Memory Verse for the Week:

Romans 15:13 (NIV) – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Background & Technical Insights:

• The corresponding passages in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 are called the Olivet Discourse because, unlike Luke, they tell us that Jesus was on the Mount of Olives when he spoke. (Walter L. Liefeld, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Volume 8, 1020)
• Jesus taught His disciples that He would die and rise again and return in glory at the end of the age. He also repeatedly warned the Jews that their rejection of Him and His ensuing death would result in the judgment of God upon both their nation and their city. He instructed His disciples that there would be an indeterminate but lengthy period of time between His death-resurrection and His triumphant coming again. (Reuben Welch, Luke, 193)
• During the preceding days Jesus had made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, cleansed the temple, and entered into several debates with the religious establishment that he repeatedly won. Then, by exalting the poor widow and her offering, he passed judgment on the religious leadership of Israel. Now Jesus left the temple for good. The cross awaited him. And the Olivet Discourse formed a fitting bridge to Jesus’ final days. It was his final address, his farewell prophecy. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: Luke, 748)
• Jesus was probably referring to the generation that would be alive on earth at the time all these things take place. He was not suggesting that it would take a whole generation to accomplish these things, for they will occur with swiftness once they begin. The Greek word translated “generation” can also mean “race” and could refer to the people of Israel. Jesus used it that way in Mark 8:12, 38; 9:19. Jesus was assuring the disciples that, in spite of all the difficulties Israel would endure, the nation would be protected by God and not be destroyed. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Courageous, 111)
• Keep in mind that this was a message given to Jews by a Jew about the future of the Jewish nation. Though there are definite applications to God’s people today, the emphasis is on Jerusalem, the Jews, and the temple. Our Lord was not discussing His coming for the church, for that can occur at any time and no signs need precede it (1 Cor. 15:51–58; 1 Thess. 4:13–18). (Wiersbe, 103)

 

Why is Advent hope able to steady us as we live in the “in-between” times?

1. Because Advent hope lifts our heads even as the world trembles.

(vv. 25–28 cf. Ps 27:1; 46:1–3; 121:1–2; Isa 35:4; 41:10; Mt 24:30–31; Jn 14:1; Heb 12:28)

Though the Christian does not know the day or the hour of Christ’s coming, he should know that, when these things come to pass, his final deliverance is soon to come and he can lift up his head. (Reuben Welch, Luke, 195)

These awesome signs will bring terror to the lost people of the world, but hope to those who have trusted the Lord during the tribulation period (Rev. 7), for these believers know that the Lord’s coming will be soon. Believers today look for the Savior, not signs. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Courageous, 109)

 

2. Because Advent hope is anchored in a God whose Word never fails.

(vv. 29–33 cf. Num 23:19; Ps 19:7–9; Isa 40:8; 55:10–11; Mt 5:18; 2 Cor 1:20; Rev 21:5)

Hope in God’s promises, therefore, is not a wishful longing but a faith-filled confidence for the future. It is simply impossible to trust one of God’s promises and not anticipate its coming true. To know God is to trust Him. And to trust God is to trust His promises. And to trust God’s promises is to be sure of their fulfillment. This assurance concerning the future, anchored in God’s promises, is what the Bible calls “hope.” (Scott Hafemann, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith, 109)

Believers who await the Second Coming and are watchful of the signs see in them the verification of God’s unfailing Word. In the meantime disciples are to watch and be ready, not dissipate or grow careless. They will thus be prepared to stand before the Son of man (v. 36). (Reuben Welch, Luke, 195)

 

3. Because Advent hope trains us to live alert and prayerful as we wait.

(vv. 34–36 cf. Mt 24:42; Mk 13:33–37; Lk 12:35–36; Rom 13:11–12; Col 4:2; 1 Pet 4:7)

…the vital thing is not to indulge in speculation or to give way to despair. Since the judgment day will mean disaster for people who have yielded to temptation and sin, the disciples must pray for strength to remain faithful to the end. (D. A Carson, The New Bible Commentary, 1014)

Waiting in Scripture does not mean idly standing by. It is not a matter of resignation, but of commitment to the will of God. But what are we to do when we do not know what God wants us to do? What are we to do while we wait for the divine timetable to run its course? The answer of biblical precept and illustration is one. Do your duty; live in the light God has already given you. By walking in it you will find that God will make the future path clear. (Sinclair Ferguson, Discovering God’s Will, 115)

 

Conclusion: How do we live with Advent hope today?

1. We lift our heads when fear would otherwise shape our lives.

(Ps 3:3; 23:4; 27:3; Isa 43:1–2; Mt 10:28; Jn 14:27; Rom 8:15; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Jn 4:18)

Hope is not defined by the absence of hardship. Rather, hope is found in God’s grace in the midst of hardship. Hope is found in His promise to give us a future. God offers hope to Christians when He promises, “I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Rom. 8:38-39). (Dan Wickert, Counseling the Hard Cases, 114)

There is nothing – no circumstance, no trouble, no testing – that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret – for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is! That is the rest of victory! (Alan Redpath, Victorious Christian Living, 166)

 

2. We rest our hope in the God who has kept every promise.

(Josh 21:45; 1 Kgs 8:56; Ps 145:13; Lk 1:37; Acts 13:32–33; Rom 4:20–21; Heb 10:23)

Hope is called the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19), because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a “wish” (I wish that such-and-such would take place); rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made. (R.C. Sproul, The Purpose of God, 40)

In the midst of an ever-changing world, the good news is that the life of faith is anchored by the power, provisions, and promises of God. Circumstances may change, but the future is as sure as the character of God Himself. No matter what happens, those who trust in God hope in His word. (Scott Hafemann, The God of Promise and the Life of Faith, 187)

 

3. We live awake and expectant until the King returns.

(Mt 25:1–13; Mk 13:35–36; Lk 12:40; Rom 8:23–25; Phil 3:20–21; Tit 2:11–13; Rev 22:12)

The immense step from the Babe at Bethlehem to the living, reigning triumphant Lord Jesus, returning to earth for his own people–that is the glorious truth proclaimed throughout Scripture. As the bells ring out the joys of Christmas, may we also be alert for the final trumpet that will announce his return, when we shall always be with him. (Alan Redpath, The Life of Victory. Christianity Today, v. 39, n. 14)

 

Gospel Connection:

Our hope is not vague optimism—it is anchored in the Savior who has come near and who will come again.

(Isa 7:14; 9:6; Mt 1:23; Jn 1:14; Rom 5:6–8; Gal 4:4–5; 1 Tim 1:15; Heb 9:28; 1 Pet 1:3–5; Rev 22:20)

The Coming of the Prince of Peace is a promise that everything that is damaged by sin will be restored. (Paul David Tripp, Sermon, Hope is a Person)

 

Spiritual Challenge Questions…

Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.

• When you think about the phrase “living in the in-between,” what comes to mind in your own life? How does Advent speak into that tension?
• Jesus says, “Lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). What does “lifting your head” look like in a world filled with fear, headlines, and uncertainty?
• Fear has a way of shaping our decisions, attitudes, and reactions. Where do you personally feel fear trying to lead your life today? How does Advent hope invite you to respond differently?
• Which promises of God have meant the most to you in difficult seasons? How does remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen present hope?
• Jesus says that heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will never pass away. What difference does this make in how we approach Scripture, truth, and trust?
• Advent calls us to watchfulness and prayerfulness. What practices help you stay spiritually awake instead of becoming distracted, discouraged, or numb?

 

HFM @ Home

Discipleship resources from the Free Methodist and Heidelberg Catechisms, offering historic, Scripture-based teaching to help us grow in our shared faith.

From The Heidelberg Catechism

Q22. What then must a Christian believe?

1. All that is promised us in the gospel, a summary of which is taught us in the articles of our universal and undisputed Christian faith. (Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:30-31)

 

Q23. What are these articles?

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

From The FREE METHODIST Catechism

“In the Image of God”⁶³

There are two aspects to human nature. God created human beings from the dust of the earth, and thus, they share with all animal life a material body.⁶⁴ But He also created them in His image and likeness, so they also have a spiritual nature. Human beings have:

• • a body that is material and mortal⁶⁵
  • a soul that is spiritual and immortal.⁶⁶

God gave our first parents an exalted place within the material world. He granted them dominion over all other creatures.⁶⁷

 

⁶² Genesis 3:8-19; 4:26; Psalms 8:3-4.

⁶³ Genesis 1:27.

⁶⁴ Genesis 2:7.

⁶⁵ Genesis 3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:42-49; Hebrews 9:27.

⁶⁶ Matthew 10:28; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.

⁶⁷ Genesis 1:28-30; Psalms 8:5-8.