“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be 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.”
Luke 21:34-36
Throughout the latter part of his ministry, Jesus continually warned his disciples to be alert and ready for his return. Yet, without an exact time or date of his return, what does the Scripture mean for us as Christians? Regardless of the timeframe, it can be interpreted to mean that we are to remain vigilant in our faith and eagerly expect the Lord’s return.
Jesus calls us to be on the watch and to be in prayer, so that we can escape the calamity that is to come. His return is imminent, and we need to be prepared because it could come at any moment. We have to be on guard, to be on watch, to protect ourselves from the traps of the Enemy and the world. Jesus warns at the beginning of the passage how these things such as drunkenness, carousing, and anxiety can weigh down our hearts. He isn’t calling out any specific sins that are any more damning than any others, but giving examples of the things that can distract us from our vigilance. As Christians we cannot live in such irresponsible ways or remain indifferent to the coming Lord. We are called to watch and wait for His return, and ought to do so vigilantly.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Make me prepared each and every day for your glorious return. Lord, help me to eagerly anticipate that day, and help me to stand strong so that I might not fall into the Enemy’s schemes or the ways of the world.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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