Today’s passage is Luke 21:29-38. Jesus says that just as people know summer is coming when trees bud so they should know the Kingdom of God is near when they see all the things happening that he just described. He says that, though everything will pass away, his words never will. He says to watch that the cares of the world don’t weigh them down and trap them but to watch and be ready for the Son of Man. During the day Jesus taught in the temple and spent the night on the Mount of Olives.
Why does Jesus connect the schedule of nature with the schedule of God’s coming kingdom?
Why does he call the coming of the kingdom a snare that will trap the worldly minded?
“Early in the morning”(38)
The people came early in the morning to hear Jesus’ words, which he said would never pass away although heaven and earth would.
Early in the morning is the time to first read God’s word.
Early in the morning is the best time for me to do my QT although I don’t when I have begun work.
When I’m on holiday and on Saturdays I can do it, but when I’m back at school, I don’t.
I read the daily passage early in the morning but I don’t make time before work to do my meditation.
I don’t do it because I go to bed too late.
Why do I go to bed late? Because there’s so much to do!
I let the cares of the world weigh down my heart.
I don’t need to drink alcohol because I get drunk on worries and concerns and fail to attend well to my duties of husband, father and principal.
Although I pray on the subway on the way to work, I need to get on the subway with my QT done and a clear application ready for the day.
At the moment I’m struggling with focus at work in part because of my daughter who is living with me for a few months and attending my school.
At school I am distracted by my thoughts of my daughter’s needs.
When she’s beside me I’m distracted by my thoughts of my school’s needs.
My mind is never where it needs to be. I keep feeling trapped.
Application: get up early enough to do my QT during the week.
Lord, let me sleep on the mountain each night and be ready with your word early in the morning.
