Tag: Luke 17
The day of the Son of Man
Scripture reading for March 26: Luke 17
“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot–they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all–so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30
There is a common view of life that takes for granted that life will go on as usual indefinitely. Life’s common activities, such as eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, and marriage and celebrating are thought to continue because no consideration is given to God the Creator or to the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. But Jesus’ world view was shaped by God’s Word that describes a sudden and abrupt ending of all life’s activities at the arrival of Jesus for judgment.
Jesus used the Scriptures to tell of the days of Noah. Life was going on as usual and Noah was building the ark and warning of a judgment by water. On the day appointed by God, except for Noah’s family and two of each animal, all of earth’s inhabitants and animals perished. (Genesis 7:11-12) Likewise, years later, Abraham’s nephew Lot was warned by God to escape Sodom. He hesitated but gathered his wife and two daughters and began to leave. God sent fire and brimstone and Sodom was destroyed. Lot’s wife looked back and was also destroyed. (Genesis 19:23-26) Jesus said these examples tell how it will be when He is revealed.
Do you tend to take life for granted each day, expecting life to continue on as usual? How does Jesus help us to see life from His perspective? As you think of these Bible stories of Noah and Lot, how do you think you might have responded to Noah’s preaching or Lot’s call to leave Sodom?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that you never send judgment unless you warn Your people. In response to Your warning, I have taken refuge in the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. I offer myself to be used to warn others and share this truth of a sudden ending when Jesus returns. Amen.
Guard your heart!
Scripture reading for February 26th: Luke 17
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Luke 17:3-6 “So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it will obey you.”
Forgiveness is difficult for us. Pride often gets in the way and our desire to get even or to make the person who has wronged us feel our wrath. Jesus warned His disciples to watch themselves for this trap of offence. When He told them that they must forgive “seven times” in a single day if the offender repented, they shouted in exasperation: “Lord, increase our faith!” Jesus simple told them that they had sufficient faith to forgive and to move great mountains if they would only apply it! A very small amount of faith the size of a mustard seed could move a deeply rooted mulberry tree.
Observations for over-comers: As Christ has forgiven us great offence, we must forgive others quickly by faith. All vengeance belongs to God alone. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Watch yourselves!
Scripture reading for March 26th: Luke 17
“Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.” (Luke 17:1-3) Jesus was concerned for His disciples and their walk with their fellow men. People have strong opinions and often get into conflicts with one another or offend each other. Offense is Satan’s trap to divide people from God and His grace. Disciples of Jesus must be watchful for each other concerning offenses.
“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:3-4) Jesus knew the hearts of men. Offense often causes thoughts of revenge and avoidance of the offender. Gossip about the offense causes more troubles and leads to people stumbling into Satan’s trap of offense. Jesus taught open confrontation of the offender by the one offended. This was among brothers in the faith. This gives the opportunity for the offender to repent and ask for mercy. If there is humility and mercy is sought, believers always forgive, even seven times in a single day by the same person!
The disciples were aware of how difficult this teaching was to put into practice! They asked Jesus to increase their faith! Jesus replied that if they had only a mustard seed of faith, they could move a mulberry tree! This was to be normal kingdom living for those with faith in Jesus! Lord Jesus, help me to be watchful!