Written ~ 03-29-2024
Read Luke Chapter Twenty-One
Luke 21
Most of chapter 21 has Jesus speaking about future events, signs that will show us when the end times are upon us. We are to watch those signs and be prepared for the return of the Lord.
Today we are going to look at verses 21:34-36…
34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Verse 21:37a says, “Everyday Jesus went to the Temple to teach…” Everyday people would crowd the temple to get a glimpse of Him or bend their ear so they could hear His every word. What would the response have been after Jesus spoke about the future signs of the end times. I wonder if they were confused, or if they were just curious if it was happening soon, or if it would happen in their lifetime. So here we are in 2024, wondering the very same thing. We know the end times are near, a lot of Biblical prophecy has been fulfilled, most Bible teachers and Pastors might even be saying that the next thing on the “prophetical timeline” to be fulfilled could be the rapture of the church. Never before have we seen the Scriptures line up with what we see in the Newspaper headlines or on every News channel. Our verses for today highlight a warning from Jesus, let’s look more closely at what He said…
Verse 21:34a…
34a “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life…”
We are to be on guard as we see the signs of Christ’s return nearing. Our hearts, minds and souls are to be sharp and ready. This is not the time to relax and have our hearts swayed by the increasing lure of the world and its pleasures. The nearer to Christ’s return the more the enemy will try to draw us in, to dull our hearts, to desensitize our longing for the Lord. So Jesus is right to warn us, He knows how easily our hearts and minds can be distracted.
Veres 21:34b-35,
34b “Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth…”
The coming of the Lord will come upon everyone. Noone can escape the Lord’s return. You will either be for Him, or against Him. That’s why each and every one of us needs to be ready. Jesus says here that we shouldn’t let the day of His coming catch us unaware. If your heart has been dulled and you spend your days fulfilling it with the world’s pleasures and you are worried by all this life can bring down on you, you could become trapped in that lifestyle and risk not being ready for the Lord’s return.
What does Jesus say to prepare our hearts, minds and souls?
Verse 21:36,
36 “Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
The Message version says verse 36 this way, “So, whatever you do, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.”
Jesus does not want us to freak out. Instead we should be looking up! Look to the Heavens! Watch for the return of the Lord. Jesus says we should be praying constantly. Why? Praying the will of God over your life every day, at every moment of the day will help you guard your heart from the things this world will try to offer you and drag you down. This is not a time to be fearful, it is a time to gain strength by reading the Scriptures, learning about who our Savior is and how we are to live our lives following His example.
Would you be able to say right now that you are standing strong in the Lord? Is your heart prepared for His return? Jesus would not give us these warnings if there weren’t troubled times coming our way. Some may say, “How can it get any worse?” Well it can and it will.
So, let’s be determined to heed the warnings Jesus gives us. Pray for His wisdom and for His understanding as we read His words in the Scriptures. Our eyes and ears should be wide open. Temptations follow us wherever we go, that’s why it is so important to have our senses sharpened. If our senses become dull we risk the possibility of Satan getting into our thoughts and changing the direction of our hearts. We cannot allow that to happen.
Spend time with Jesus every single day.
Verse 21:38 says,
“The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear Him.”
Prepare your day by spending time with your Savior, have Him be your guide in everything. Listen for His voice in your thoughts so you can distinguish the Lord’s voice over the enemy’s voice.
Watch Out! Keep alert at all times! And pray that you WILL BE STRONG and able to stand before the Son of God with confidence.
~AMEN~