Daily Bread 2010 - Luke 21
Daily Bread 2010 – Luke 21
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
As Jesus nears the end of his ministry, he begins to explain about how the end of time will come. Steven Covey in his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, has as one of his habits, “Begin with an end in mind.” Where I work we talk about, what is the outcome we are looking for in this ministry or event. It is so easy to spin our wheels have a lot of motion, but not much movement.
As Jesus talks about the end, and how it is near (if it was near then, then it is nearer now!), his main message was to be “on watch”, or “be ready”. In some traditions, part of Holy Week is to hold prayer watches from Good Friday until Easter morning. I remember going and praying in the church for a half an hour late at night when I was young. I was kind of cool to be in church late at night with no sound.
As Jesus prepared the outcome God had for him, he spent lots of time in prayer at night, keeping the vigil, and then ministering in the morning to those who came to him. He spent the night “on the hill” praying. One of the things prayer does is re-orient us to the “things of God”, versus the “things of man”. Most of us spend lots of time managing the things of man, and it often produces lots of anxiety in us. Most unhealthy habits form when people try to escape this ever present anxiety through ways that eventually become destructive.
As we enter into these next three most holy days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally Easter, I would urge you to spend some time in prayer on what hill you can find to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Most churches have Good Friday services that are reflective of the last words of Christ. As you spend time in silence reflecting on the events of this week that changed the world forever, ask God to lead you into a place where you might be open to be led by him in whatever way He sees fit.
As we think about what outcome God might have for us on Easter, we will celebrate a power through which we can do anything God calls us to.
Let’s pray. God as we enter this Holy Weekend, give us eyes and ears to hear this great story of your suffering, death and resurrection. Help us to know that this not only happened but is still happening today for all those who would die to self and allow you to empower our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
As Jesus nears the end of his ministry, he begins to explain about how the end of time will come. Steven Covey in his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, has as one of his habits, “Begin with an end in mind.” Where I work we talk about, what is the outcome we are looking for in this ministry or event. It is so easy to spin our wheels have a lot of motion, but not much movement.
As Jesus talks about the end, and how it is near (if it was near then, then it is nearer now!), his main message was to be “on watch”, or “be ready”. In some traditions, part of Holy Week is to hold prayer watches from Good Friday until Easter morning. I remember going and praying in the church for a half an hour late at night when I was young. I was kind of cool to be in church late at night with no sound.
As Jesus prepared the outcome God had for him, he spent lots of time in prayer at night, keeping the vigil, and then ministering in the morning to those who came to him. He spent the night “on the hill” praying. One of the things prayer does is re-orient us to the “things of God”, versus the “things of man”. Most of us spend lots of time managing the things of man, and it often produces lots of anxiety in us. Most unhealthy habits form when people try to escape this ever present anxiety through ways that eventually become destructive.
As we enter into these next three most holy days, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally Easter, I would urge you to spend some time in prayer on what hill you can find to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Most churches have Good Friday services that are reflective of the last words of Christ. As you spend time in silence reflecting on the events of this week that changed the world forever, ask God to lead you into a place where you might be open to be led by him in whatever way He sees fit.
As we think about what outcome God might have for us on Easter, we will celebrate a power through which we can do anything God calls us to.
Let’s pray. God as we enter this Holy Weekend, give us eyes and ears to hear this great story of your suffering, death and resurrection. Help us to know that this not only happened but is still happening today for all those who would die to self and allow you to empower our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment