Be Ready

Luke 21

There’s a lot of doom and destruction in chapter 21 isn’t there.  It would be nice to take the easy way out and talk about the widow’s offering, but that’s just a small part of the chapter.  Most of it is wars, persecution, destruction, and being ready.  It’s great “stand on your soap box and declare it” kind of stuff.  Like what you would probably hear from the crazy guy in the middle of downtown crossing in Boston (or name the spot in your local city).  But here’s the deal.  It’s real.  How about we start with Jesus foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem?  It happened in 70 AD.  Think what you want about the Bible, but you really don’t want to mess with prophecy about Jesus Christ and the prophecies He told Himself. 

I suppose when you think about it, nothing in this chapter should really surprise us.  I mean our world has seen plenty of earthquakes, famines, and pestilences.  And the persecution of Christians is happening all around the world.  Don’t believe me?  Check out this website.   http://www.persecution.com/  Even here in the land of the free we are slowly losing our religious liberties.  For those reading this who know me, you know I’m not a “hell fire and brimstone” kind of preacher.  But I am a preacher of God’s Word, and Luke 21 is a part of God’s Word.  So what are we to do with all of this?  Pack up buy a few years’ worth of canned food and live in some shelter in Montana?  That might be getting a little carried away, but I do think we need to watch ourselves and be careful as it suggests in verses 34-36.  If we are following God we need to remain faithful to Him.  Sometimes the cares of this world can easily draw us away from Him.  Unlike some preachers, I don’t really think we are living in the end times, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be faithful to God any less.  God wants our best for the short time we are on this earth.  Why not give it to Him and be ready.

Prayer

Dear Great and Almighty God, You put our world into place and You oversee it.  Help me to work out my salvation with fear and trembling, always being ready for that day when Your Son comes again to reign in Your kingdom.  Amen.