Knowing the Word in Luke 21:34-36

Watch Yourselves

21:34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Comments

Jesus encouraged his disciples not to give way to temptation, imitating the people of the world. Instead, they are to keep their focus on him. J.C. Ryle declared, “There is no sin so great but a great saint may fall into it: there is no saint so great but he may fall into a great sin.” We are all vulnerable to temptation until Jesus returns at the end of all things when we shall stand before Jesus the Judge and possess ultimate salvation.

Application

Are you anxious about the end of time and the return of Jesus? Jesus does not want us to be anxious but to be focused on him. Anxious people do sinful things. Focused people, while tempted to sin, keep their eye and their mind focused on the one who brings us peace and gives us rest, even in the most difficult and trying of situations.

Prayer

In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that thou wilt slow us down, for we know that we live too fast. With all of eternity before us, make us take time to live—time to get acquainted with thee, time to enjoy thy blessings, and time to know each other.

Peter Marshall