Take Care That Your Hearts Aren't Dulled
And press on to new life.
Luke 21:29-38 | Philippians 3:8-11 | Gospels during Lent: Luke 15-16
The main point from Jesus here is: be who I’ve called you to be. No matter what. Be ready. Things will get tough. Be ready. Stay alert. Don’t fall asleep. Don’t let busy thoughts catch you off-guard.
Paul’s description of being “conformed to Christ’s death” is of note. Many Christians miss the call to cruciformity and sacrifice. But it’s a big reason why Lent can be helpful. We don’t dwell on Jesus’ death all the time (and thus miss out on the point - resurrection & new life). But we sure should understand his death in formative ways.
Maybe if we did, we’d read Jesus’ warnings about difficult times to come with a different perspective, one of hope rather than fear and dread.
Luke 21:29-38
Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.
“Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.”
Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, but he spent each night on the Mount of Olives. All the people rose early in the morning to hear him in the temple area.
Philippians 3:8-11
But even beyond that, I consider everything a loss in comparison with the superior value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have lost everything for him, but what I lost I think of as sewer trash, so that I might gain Christ and be found in him. In Christ I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith. The righteousness that I have comes from knowing Christ, the power of his resurrection, and the participation in his sufferings. It includes being conformed to his death so that I may perhaps reach the goal of the resurrection of the dead.
Prayer
God,
Certainly, here's a prayer inspired by Luke 21:29-38 and Philippians 3:8-11, emphasizing hope in challenging times:
God,
As I move into the dawning light of this new day, I am reminded of Jesus’ fig tree. Just as the tree puts forth new leaves signaling the approach of warmer days, help my heart be attuned to the signs of your presence and the hope that lies ahead.
In the face of uncertainty and the challenges that surround us, help me count all things as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus and his person, to which he calls me. In times of struggle, give me solace in the power of his resurrection, which is new life.
Lord, grant me the strength to press on, even when the journey seems steep and the path ahead unclear. Help me see moments of trial as opportunities of faith-refinement and newly-kindled hope.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.