When Jesus Comes Home?

                                               WHEN JESUS COMES HOME?

We have tracked Jesus' historic final journey toward Jerusalem for several weeks. Along the way, on several Cross Roads, He healed people and talked about the coming of the Kingdom of God. He laid out criteria and hindrances to entering the Kingdom of God.

We saw several unusual things happening on different Cross Roads. A sinner went home justified by God over a self-righteous religious person. A rich man came close to entering God's Kingdom but was left sad and disappointed because he couldn't give up his wealth.

As He came near Jericho, a blind beggar sat beside the road. Desperate and wanting his eyesight restored, he cried to Jesus, "Son of David, have mercy on me." Jesus didn't see that as an interruption but an opportunity to show his power, so he stopped and restored the beggar's eyesight. After that, Jesus entered the town of Jericho and made his way through the town. Let's see who he will meet, what he will do now, and how people will respond.

I. Nothing can stop you when you are desperate to see Jesus.

Vs.2-3, "There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich." Vs.3. "He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd." What do we know about Zacchaeus from these two verses?

We know his name, his status, and his stature. First, his name, ironically, means innocent or pure. But that was not how the people of Jericho perceived and treated him as such. They must have laughed whenever they heard his name because he didn't behave as his name suggested.

Secondly, his status as a wealthy chief tax collector made him a social outcast or excommunicated, as that was how the tax collectors were treated by their fellow Jews. Third, his stature, "he was too short." His fellow students at a Jewish school must have ridiculed and bullied him. He must not have been picked up to play sports, as that would happen for short people like myself. You would know how it hurts when that happens to you.

Several things may be going against Zacchaeus, but one thing we must admire him for, he "tried to get a look at Jesus." The verb tried in the original language could be read as "he had been trying to see Jesus," which indicates it is not the first time but on several occasions.

In Luke 15:1, "Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach." Could Zacchaeus have been one of them? His desire to see Jesus could only materialize after then because he was too short. Albert Einstein said, "where there is a will, there is a way." Zacchaeus strongly desired to see Jesus, and nothing would stop him. He found a way!

Vs. 4, "So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way." Can you imagine what an embarrassing and undignified sight that must have been? This wealthy chief tax collector, despised by his townspeople, runs through Jericho's dusty roads. He only wanted to see Jesus. He ran ahead of the crowds and climbed a sycamore-fig tree, hiding in it, waiting to have a glimpse of Jesus, but what did he get instead?

II. When your heart opens, Jesus will come straight to you.

Vs.5, "When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today." Just imagine the euphoria that was going on in the streets of Jericho. Jesus had just restored a beggar's eyesight on the town's outskirts. The crowds and the healed beggar were praising God for this extraordinary miracle. That jubilant procession came to a sudden halt under a tree.

Jesus was about to perform a much greater miracle than restoring the eyesight of a beggar. He was going to heal the broken heart of a rejected person and restore his dignity. It looked like more than Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus; Jesus was eager to meet him.

He came precisely where Zacchaeus was hiding in the tree. He looked up at him and called him by name. Zacchaeus! He said, "Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today." Can you see what was going on here? The creator of the universe, the great teacher who taught with such authority than the regular scholars and teachers, the one who performed extraordinary miracles, wanted to be a guest in the home of a notorious sinner?

That was what the Pharisees called Zacchaeus. But for Zacchaeus hearing his name coming from the mouth of Jesus and his gesture of wanting to be a guest in his house was more than he could handle. No one wanted to be his friend in the town, let alone visit him in his home.

III. When Jesus comes home?

What happened under the Sycamore-fig tree was very unusual. Jesus stated, "Quick, come down! I must be a guest at your home today." It was not a request from Jesus; instead, worded as a command. This is the only place in all the gospels where Jesus invited himself to be someone's guest. How did Zacchaeus respond to that command?

The text reads, "He took Jesus to his house in great excitement and Joy." Zacchaeus, such a notorious sinner as a typical tax collector, might have been distressed at the prospect of a visit from the perfect, sinless Son of God. But his heart was prepared to receive Jesus at his home.

But the Pharisee's hearts were further hardened by this kind act of Jesus toward a lost sinner.

            When Jesus comes home, what happens? Business would be different from usual. Everything changes for the good. Vs.8, "Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, "I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" What was happening in the heart and home of a notorious sinner?

            Remember, in the earlier story, the rich man was shown a pathway to inherit eternal life but couldn't walk in it because he was very wealthy and couldn't part with possessions. Whereas here, Zacchaeus came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, standing before the Lord, and declared, "I will give half of my wealth to the poor."That shows his conversion was genuine.

He went further; he made restitution for defrauding people. He said, "Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much! The law required fourfold restitution only when an animal was stolen and killed (Ex 22:1).

His saying quickly that he would give back four times as much to those he may have cheated on their taxes tells us that Zacchaeus judged his own crime severely. Zacchaeus was willing to pay the restitution and let go of half of his possessions because he had just found incomprehensible spiritual riches. He stands in contrast with the rich man in Lk 18:18-24.

After hearing those proclamations, Jesus pronounced, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham." By those words, Jesus saved Zacchaeus, made him right with God, forgave his sins, and restored his dignity in the Jewish community as the true son of Abraham. What does Zacchaeus' story have to do with us today?

In one way, Zacchaeus' story is the story of all of us. We all have sinned and lost our way home to God. We may have experienced rejection, ridicule, and loneliness. Some may have defrauded and cheated others. Whatever the extent of our sins, there may be hope for us.

God's heart always goes after sinners and those who refuse to accept Him. As a loving father, He never gives up on his prodigal sons and daughters. This compassionate and forgiving posture of God is clearly explained in Isaiah 65:1-2. "The Lord says, "I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, 'Here I am, here I am!' to a nation that did not call on my name. All day long, I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes."

After saving Zacchaeus, Jesus reaffirms what He came to accomplish: to seek and save those who are lost. If you admit you are lost, you can be found by Jesus. He will come to you. When Jesus comes home (to your heart), you will be saved and never be the same again.        

 

     

 

 

 

 

A SIXTY FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS QUESTION

                                                       HOW TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?

A 2012 Boston Globe article asked the following question: Does money change you? "Here in the home of the American dream," the article stated, "most people are convinced that gaining a lot of money … wouldn't change who they are as people." But is that true?

The article reported: As a mounting body of research shows, wealth can change how we think and behave and not for the better. Rich people have a more challenging time connecting with others, showing less empathy to the extent of dehumanizing those different from them.

They are less charitable, generous, and less likely to help someone in trouble. And they are more likely to defend an unfair status quo. If you think you'd behave differently in their place, you're probably wrong: These aren't just inherited traits but developed ones.

Money, in other words, changes who you are. Another series of studies from the University of California at Berkley shows that wealthier people tend to be less compassionate towards others in a bad situation than people from lower-class backgrounds. The article noted that "if you win the lottery and want to avoid becoming an insensitive lout," there is a simple solution. "Give at least half the money away."[1] This may be an antidote to human greed.

This article may be putting rich people in a bad light, but what it highlights may be true. That wealth adversely affects people's morality and behavior more than we care to admit. It buys prime entertainment; luxurious vacations but cannot accept your way to heaven. While wealth may open up the whole world for you, it may shut the door to heaven, making it hard to enter.

In the story today, we will learn how Jesus challenged a rich young ruler who thought somehow, with his philanthropic and religious activities could make it to heaven. He came with the right question, but how did he leave responding to Jesus's correct answer? Luke 18:18-29  

 

I. A Sixty-Four Thousand Dollars Question.

When someone asks a crucial or essential question, we say the $64,000 question, which is usually a significant issue whose outcome can't be foreseen and on which much hinges. If Jesus were here today and a young Venture Capitalist came to him and asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life,"? He would have said the 64,000-dollar question.

Reading from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we learn that Jesus was on his final trip toward Jerusalem. One young religious ruler came to Jesus and asked him this essential question. "Good teacher, what good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?" I wish many more people today would ask the most critical question of their lives. Let's see how Jesus answered it.

When the rich young ruler asked this question, he must have operated by certain mixed assumptions. On the one hand, he must have seen Jesus as one of their good religious leaders. On the other hand, he saw Jesus, who has eternal life, and could tell him how he might have it too.

Building on his curiosity, Jesus wanted to teach him a lesson about who He was. Why do you call me good? Jesus asked him, "Only God is truly good." Jesus was not disclaiming his deity but teaching the young man that everyone else is a sinner except God. This young man did not realize his own utter spiritual bankruptcy. To answer his 64,000 dollars question, Jesus reminded him of the five of the six commandments that dealt with human relationships:

"You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother." (Ex 20:12-16, Duet 5:16-20). Is Jesus advocating that we all follow the law to get to heaven? Of course not!

 

Before showing him the way of life, Jesus wanted to let the young ruler know the high standard God required, the absolute futility of obtaining salvation through our effort, and what it takes to be His disciple. The young man confidently declared, "I have obeyed all these commandments since I was young.

Matthew notes, "what else must I do?" But he would not admit his own sin. Some of us are like this self-righteous young ruler. We may be grown up in Christian homes, attended church since childhood, know the ten commandments, and even tried to obey them, but we would not admit we are sinners. Jesus sees what is happening in our hearts. 

 

II. Jesus said, "There is still one thing you haven't done."

The young ruler thought he had done everything needed to obtain eternal life. He has obeyed the commandments since childhood, and nothing else is left undone. Jesus said, "There is still one thing you haven't done." Vs. 22, "Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Is Jesus advocating that we should never own any possessions, must sell everything, and distribute them to the poor to have treasure in heaven? Is this a universal requirement for salvation, or was it applicable only to this rich young ruler? Jesus addressed this young ruler's heart attitude. He wanted to find out whether he would let go of all of them, take Him as his only treasure, and follow Him. Jesus put others also through the same test earlier in Luke 14.

To a large crowd following Jesus, He turned around and said, "You can not be my disciple without giving up everything you own." Is Jesus against people owning things? No! But He is against things owning us. For instance, nothing is wrong if you own a home to live in, but if you can't leave it behind and serve the Lord when God calls, then the house owns you instead.

When the young man heard Jesus' requirement went away sad for he was wealthy. The young ruler desired eternal life. He came to the right person and asked the right question but could not follow Him. He went away somewhat disappointed and sad. Like the young ruler today, you might desire eternal life. You have come to the right person and asked Him the right question what must I do to have eternal life? This is how you can have eternal life.

 

III. How To Have Eternal Life?

The essence of this parable is not that God hates the wealthy. Jesus did not hate the rich young ruler. It is said in Mk 10:21, "Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him." God's heart is full of love for all people, rich or poor. John 3:16, "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." This is how you and I and everyone else can have eternal life.

The young ruler and several other religious leaders during Jesus' time thought that one could inherit eternal life by obeying the law and giving alms to the poor. The young rich ruler thought he could have eternal life through his wealth. Jesus busted that wrong kind of thinking.

Vs-24-27, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" The disciples said, "Then who in the world can be saved." Jesus replied, What is impossible for people is possible with God."

This scripture is not saying that rich people cannot enter heaven. It expresses that their wealth makes it even harder. Jesus used the analogy of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to explain that rich people can't enter into the Kingdom of God by their self-effort. For that matter, no one can have eternal life through their self-righteous efforts.

When the Bible speaks of eternal life, it refers to a gift of God that comes only "through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). This gift is in contrast to the "eternal death" that is the result of sin. The fact that this life is "Eternal" indicates that it is perpetual life. It goes on and on and on, with no end in heaven. Jesus is here to give your eternal life. What would you do with this offer? Would you walk away sad as the rich young ruler did or leave from here with Joy in your heart by receiving Jesus' gift of salvation? Come to Jesus, and you will have eternal life.

 

 

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[1] Britt Petterson, "Why it matters that our politicians are rich," Boston Globe (2-19-12)

Who Can Be Made Right With God?

                                      Who Can Be Made Right With God?

Psychologists say Self-Justification Chokes Love Out Of a Relationship. In their book Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me), social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson describe how a fixation on our own righteousness can choke life out of love.

"The vast majority of couples who drift apart do so slowly, over time, in a snowballing pattern of blame and self-justification. Each partner focuses on what the other one is doing wrong while justifying their own preferences, attitudes, and ways of doing things. … From our standpoint, therefore, misunderstandings, conflicts, personality differences, and even angry quarrels are not the assassins of love; self-justification is."[1] There is a lot of truth in it.

During His ministry, Jesus met many people who justified and exalted themselves above others. They thought they would never do anything wrong it is always the others. As Jesus was winding down his ministry, Jesus had a few choice words for those who thought they were right in their own eyes. What is the standard of righteousness? Who decides who is right and who is wrong? Who can be made right with God? Our passage will answer some of these questions.

Last week we learned that Jesus was leaving the region of Galilee for one last time and heading toward Jerusalem to complete His final mission. Along the way, he did some sequential things. He spoke about the Coming of the Kingdom of God. We embrace God's Kingdom that has invaded our lives and live accordingly rather than fixate on the one yet to come.

After that, He shares two parables on Prayer. One was about a persistent widow who never gave up knocking on the door of an ungodly judge until she got justice. Then he picked on those who were righteous in their own eyes. To address the dangerous traits of self-righteous attitudes among people, He told this parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. 

I. Prayer time in the temple

 The Jewish people prayed morning, afternoon, and evening in the temple. People could also go to the temple at any time for private Prayer. It was prayer time in the temple, and two men went up to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised Tax Collector. They were not just two individuals but represented two broad people groups: Pharisees and Tax Collectors.

The Pharisees: Were an influential religious sect within Judaism during Christ and the early Church. They were known for emphasizing personal piety. Some Pharisees hated anything Roman, including taxation and Jews who served as tax collectors. They were unwelcomed.

The Tax Collectors: These were Jews who worked for the hated Romans. They were seen as traitors to their own fellow citizens. Somehow the Pharisee and the Tax Collector went to the temple to pray simultaneously. Perhaps the Pharisee wanted to announce in everyone's hearing how good he was. The tax collector went to confess his sin and beg for mercy.

II. The prayers of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

The Prayer of the Pharisee. Interestingly, Jesus points out how the Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this Prayer to himself. It's an image of the self-sufficiency found in his Prayer. Like many of us, his Prayer begins with thanksgiving. Except his gratitude is based on his self-esteem, piety, and charity. He prayed a very lengthy prayer consisting of 35 words.

In his prolonged Prayer, he referenced himself five times. He categorically put himself above others, such as cheaters, sinners, adulterers, etc. He distinguished himself by saying I am certainly not like that tax collector! What gave him that superior edge over others, so he thought?

Fasting and giving were prescribed in the law. Jesus fasted at least on one occasion for 40 days and taught about fasting. Some Pharisees considered fasting a public exercise to display one's spirituality. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for such outward hypocritical fasting.

The Pharisee in our story "fasted twice a week, more than necessary. He gave what the law required, nothing more, but bragged about his giving. He must have thought he would score more brownie points before God with all he did. What can we learn from the Pharisee’s Prayer?

What are you bragging about when you come to Church to worship and pray? What self-righteous attitudes might you be carrying? Are you proud of all you do for God? Are you self-righteous and look down on others? God sees what is going on in your heart. Let's listen to the most heartfelt Prayer of the Tax Collector, containing only 11 words.

The Prayer of the Tax Collector. Jesus described the tax collector as "despised or hated." I could only imagine the demeanor of this Tax Collector. He was broken and could hardly lift his head toward heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, "O, God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." We understand his remorse when we know his actions.

What does "beating one's chest in sorrow mean? There are two kinds of beatings of the chest. One type is worldly, which conveys pride and arrogance. Like the Basket Ball players often beat their chests when they score a three-pointer. The Biblical chest beating in sorrow expresses one's remorse and shame over the sins one committed. In the Bible, the chest or heart is considered the seat of sin. Two people prayed; who do you think went home Justified?   

III. Who can be made right with God?

 Let’s follow the logic of the scripture. First, Jesus talked about the Kingdom's coming, then addressed who would be accepted or rejected from entering it. In this parable, we see the characteristics of recipients and rejecters of the Kingdom most sharply defined.

The Pharisee was proud and self-righteous, whereas the tax collector was humble and remorseful over his sins. Ultimately, the tax collector's heartfelt Prayer made him right with God. Jesus said, “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God.

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” This parable begs the question, Who Can Be Made Right With God? It all depends not on our outward actions but on our inward attitudes. No matter where you pray, either in the Church or your private room, Prayer is a time for confession to get our hearts right with God.

In the parable, the Pharisee's self-righteous attitude and self-justifying mindset disqualified him from entering God’s Kingdom. The Tax Collector’s humble Prayer, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner,” made him go home justified before God.

The scriptures tell us, “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!” (Psalm 53:2-3). Prophet Isaiah mourned, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.” Isaiah 53:6

Jesus the Good Shepherd, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36. In the parable of the lost sheep, how the shepherd rejoiced over his one lost sheep, Jesus said, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:7)

In the parable, the Pharisee was one of those who were righteous in their own eyes. The Tax collector was, on the other hand, like the lost sheep. With whom would you identify yourself this morning, the Pharisee or the Tax Collector? No matter who you are, we all have sinned and need God’s mercy and forgiveness. You would be bypassed and disappointed if you were like the Pharisee, full of pride and self-righteousness. But if you are like the humble tax collector in humility, cry out to God, “O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.” You will go home, justified before God. In other words, you will be made right with God.

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2017/february/5022717.html

The Coming of The Kingdom

                                               THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM

We have been praying for countries where Christians have been experiencing intense persecution for the past several weeks. Information on these countries is available at Open Doors' annual World Watch List 2023[1]. For instance, "North Korea is the number one country in the list as the most hostile place for Christians to live. Even owning a Bible is a serious crime and will be severely punished. North Korea is followed by Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Lybia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Iran, all are facing either war or internal strife or under authoritarian regimes, where Christians suffer the most. Yet, they continue to hold on to and proclaim their faith.

In India, where Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist government has curtailed the rights of members of other faiths, 1,750 Christians were arrested without trial in 2022. Open harassment is often accompanied by more subtle pressures, including daily abuses at workplaces, schools, and public facilities. Though difficult to quantify, they strongly impact communities and contribute to forcing Christians to displace internally and internationally."

What would your prayer be like if you were living in one of those countries? I would pray, Lord, when would your Kingdom come, and when would you establish Peace on Earth? You are not the first one who has asked such a question. The Pharisees asked Jesus the same question, when will the Kingdom of God come? The essence of this message is Jesus' answer to that question. I title this message "The Coming of the Kingdom." Luke 17:20-37.

We will be shifting our focus from Satan to the Savior. For the next six weeks, we will trace the Journey of Jesus to the Cross and how He healed, delivered, interacted with religious leaders, saved people, and taught principles of God's Kingdom at several crossroads. Our journey will conclude with the grand celebration of His resurrection from the dead. 

I. What is the Context of this passage?

As Jesus traveled through the region of Galilee, he healed the sick, delivered people affected by demons, fed the hungry, and saved sinners. For much of his ministry, Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God, preparing people to enter it, and the cost of following Him.

For the last time Jesus left Galilee, he would not return before his death. He passed through Samaria, met and healed ten people with leprosy, and continued to Jerusalem. One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God Come?

They were focused on "when" the Messiah would come, topple down the Romans and establish his earthly Kingdom. His disciples asked in Matthew 24:3, "Tell us when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? It looked like the skeptics and saints had the same questions, "When"? Let's see how Jesus responded to their questions.

II. The Coming of the Kingdom

Vs. 20-21, "Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. ( Or by your speculations. You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is already among you." (Or is within you or is in your grasp).

The Pharisees asked when God's Kingdom would come, not knowing that it had already arrived. The Kingdom of God is unlike an earthly kingdom with geographical boundaries and military power. Instead, it begins with the work of God's Spirit in people's lives.

When Jesus said, the Kingdom of God is already among you. He referred to His Kingdom's work of healing the blind and the sick and saving lives. Jesus wanted Pharisees and his Disciples not to be fixated on when it would come but on where the Kingdom was. They were to live in the moment and see God's Kingdom at work. Where do we see God's Kingdom at work among us? God is at work when lives are changed, and people live as Children of light.

We see God's Kingdom among us when lies become truth-tellers and thieves stop stealing. When angry, people become kind and forgive one another when people clean up their act, and grumblers and faultfinders become people of praise, gratitude, and appreciation.

We see God's kingdom right here when people stop reveling in drinking and parties and instead pursue God's righteousness and peace. When people stand up for justice, care for the poor and the needy, and come together on Sunday to worship, read God's word, and love and serve one another. We only see a fraction of God's Kingdom's work among us here and now.

We will see its fullness when the Son of Man returns and establish His earthly Kingdom.   

II. Who is the Son of Man?

Vs. 22-23, "Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won't see it. People will tell you, 'Look, there is the Son of Man,' or 'Here he is,' but don't go out and follow them." Who is the Son of Man?

Son of Man is the primary title Jesus used when referring to Himself. Other titles for Christ, such as Son of God, are overt in their focus on His deity. Son of Man, in contrast, focuses on the humanity of Christ. Son of Man is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel 7:13–14.

"As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world so that people of every race and nation, and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His Kingdom will never be destroyed." What a glorious day that would be when God finally reigns.

One day Jesus will fully fulfill this prophecy. Suffering must precede glory, however, as his death is necessary for the kingdom's arrival. We will look into Jesus' suffering more on Good Friday, but for now, we will pay attention to the signs that Signify His return to the earth.

III. The signs that signify the return of the Son of Man

            Jesus compared the days before His return to the days of  Lot and Noah. He was not referring to the wickedness of those days but people's preoccupation with Mundane things.

People of both times were occupied with banquets, parties, weddings, feasting, drinking, buying, selling, farming, and building. Lot's generation continued their daily activities until the fire and burning sulfur rained on them and destroyed all of them.

Noah's generation ignored the warnings and continued their revelries until he entered the Boat, and the flood came and destroyed them. Jesus draws parallels to the days of his return. Vs.30, "Yes, it will be 'business as usual' right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed."

Are we any different than those two previous generations who neither knew God nor sought His Kingdom? As we look around for many, including Christians,  it is business as usual. Instead of seeking His Kingdom and righteousness first, we run after material things like the pagans. We are preoccupied with pleasure, comfort, security, wealth, and success.

After laying out what signs to watch for, Jesus warns them to be ready for his imminent return. Similarly, he warns us to be prepared. He may return anytime. Matthew 24:40, "So, you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming."

Finally, the disciples seemed to have gotten the point, so they asked Luke 20:37, "Where will this happen, Lord? Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. What does this mean? A single vulture flying over our heads can be a random act and no big deal, but if you see a swarm of vultures suddenly appear in the sky, it indicates a dead body nearby. Similarly, when we see one earthquake, crime, murder, and famine in one place, it is no big deal. But when we see them happening at random speeds and intensity, we pay attention to the signs and prepare. His return is very near.

 

 

 

           

 

 

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[1] https://www.opendoors.org/en-US/persecution/countries/