APRIL 3 | LUKE 17:20-37

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DAILY READING

Luke 17:20-37

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REFLECTION

Always Prepared 

by Judy Webb

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, “Here it is!” or “It’s over there! For the Kingdom of God is already among you.” (Luke 17:20-21 NLT)

Isn’t this just like human nature wanting all the answers; never willing to wait or enjoy today? We want to know what is going to happen tomorrow, too! And we want to know now! We are an impatient lot. We need to be in control of even those things which are out of our control.

Verse 24 gives us a hint: “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man comes.” This verse tells us that when He returns, we won’t be asking such questions, it will be obvious to everyone. Not only that, but there will be no warning, no steps leading up to that monumental day.  Life will go on as normal until the last moment when everything changes! Christ’s Second Advent will be as visible and unmistakable as the lightning.

The closest example I can think of is from my own life. One day my husband and I were planning our retirement and dreaming of the day when we would move to our dream home in the Northwoods of WI. Then the next day we were in the emergency room hearing the words TERMINAL. “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (Thessalonians 5:2)

I am so grateful that Dave was ready to meet Jesus. There was mourning of course, but there was celebrating as well. A new home in his future, but in a far better place than the Northwoods of WI…but the actual “God’s country”.

“If you cling to your life you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.” (v.33) NLT

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Keep us close to you. Inspire us to share our stories with others who may need to hear how the Gospel is Good News for them too. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. Eventually our time will run out. We need to make the most of every day and draw nearer to you until you return. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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