Are we really listening for God speaking in our lives?
Luke 17:20-37
20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is in your midst.’
22 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, “There he is!” or “Here he is!” Do not go running off after them. 24 For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
26 ‘Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 ‘It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulphur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.
30 ‘It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot’s wife!33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding corn together; one will be taken and the other left.’
37 ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked.
He replied, ‘Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.’
Sometimes, God chooses to work in our lives, or answer our prayers, in ways that are difficult for us to comprehend.
In this passage, Jesus gives an answer and tries to impart wisdom that would have been challenging for the original audience to hear. Indeed, as teachings they remain tough for us to receive today.
As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus whatever our context. It will be hard for us to put aside our own notions of what God’s kingdom should look like or how the end times will unfold.
Let’s continue to meet together – both on Sundays, in growth groups, and in other ways (e.g. over a coffee) – to encourage each other in God’s word and give our lives to Jesus, so he may save us and then take our weak and humble efforts, and use us.
Head: Are there teachings of Jesus that you’re deliberately avoiding applying to your life?
Heart: Can I encourage you today to resist the temptations of the world and instead to be excited about the work God is doing in your life.
Hands: Do you need to take a fresh look at how you’re serving at your church?
Prayer: Lord, draw us nearer than before. We pray that in your mercy we will be able to set aside the meagre attractions of this world for the eternal glory of your kingdom. Amen
A song to listen to: Nearer than before
Oliver Meehan
Living Church Creek Road
