Stay Awake

Read Deuteronomy 23

Read Luke 21

Jesus' discourse here is very apocalyptic in nature. He is warning his followers of the coming destruction of Jerusalem that we know was indeed fulfilled in 70 A.D. He is also warning all who would follow him after that time to watch for the end - the real end of the world, his second return.

It sounds scary enough - wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine, pestilence. We see these today, and we could add hurricanes, floods, fear of nuclear war from North Korea and Iran. We have a thousand other cares and concerns, fears and frights. Jesus even tells his followers that we should expect not to be well liked by the world. Some of us will even be handed over to death. Indeed, though we in the United States don't often have to worry about being executed for our Christian faith, we do, in fact, see this happening to this day in more hostile parts of the globe. (Let us always pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters!)

But then, right after Jesus prophesies that some of us will be killed, he says something curious - "Not a hair of your head shall perish." But, we are being put to death! Hmm...It sounds like a contradiction. But Jesus is assuring us of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. We endure in the faith, and by that endurance our lives will be gained, that is, our eternal life.

So, Jesus encourages us at the end of this chapter to stay awake! Are we spending too much time drinking and living it up? (Maybe that's not a question we want to ask ourselves after Memorial Day weekend!) Are we spending too much time worrying about all the material cares of this life? Are we plodding along every day without a thought toward eternity? Are we so busy with the tasks of this life that we forget that Jesus is returning and bringing his judgment with him?

Not that we who continue to repent of our sins need to fear the judgment (because Jesus suffered it for us on the cross), but mindful of that coming judgment on all humanity, we need to be doing the work that has been given us to do.

So, being sober minded, awake, mindful of what is Godly, and anticipating Christ's return, we live as if the end could come any time. Even if it is 1,000 years from now, we ought to live as if his return was imminent. He has given us work to do, that we should live a holy life for his glory, bring up our families in the Christian faith, and reach out with the Good News to those around us.

And at the last, we shall see our Redeemer, and rejoice!

Pray:

Pray from your heart today for your persecuted brothers and sisters, and for yourself, that you might live a God pleasing life in the time you have left.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!