Todays readings .. Numbers 6, Proverbs 3, Luke 17
“PAY ATTENTION TO YOURSELVES”
Our ch. 17 in Luke starts with Jesus telling his disciples – “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” Are we a means by which others may be tempted? A great deal (as far as we can gather) of what is on TV portrays ungodliness – and is therefore a temptation, (mainly subconsciously) to emulate godless ways! Let us hear Jesus speaking to us and saying “Pay attention to yourselves!”
We must “pay attention” to what we do, where we go, what we watch and what we read! What example do we set others? This applies most of all – to our example to the younger generation!
A different line of thought opens out for us from v. 20: we read with great interest what Jesus said when he was “asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come.” Jesus spoke of those who would say, “’Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them.”[v.23]. It will not be a matter of constantly looking is case you (we) miss seeing the king of the kingdom coming! We must, more than ever “Pay attention to (y)ourselves!”
The next verse is awesome! “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.”
We are in awe of the comparison that our Lord then made with Lot’s experience – 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.” [v.29,30] Is that a literal 24 hour day? It was for Lot!
The verses which follow make it clear it is all going to happen quickly. Do we enjoy and “love” the life we are now living? Are we planning for more and more interesting experiences? Let us hear Jesus telling us to “pay attention to yourselves” Finally, ponder the words of Jesus – that John quoted in his gospel. “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life…. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.” [John 12 v.25,26]
