Joshua 7:1-26; Luke 15:11-32; Psalms 82:1-5; Proverbs 19:27-29

NT: “He also said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living… When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet… because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing… Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:11-13, 17-22, 24-25, 28-32‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The Parable of the prodigal son is a continuation of Jesus addressing the judgmental attitudes of the Pharisees and scribes. They were complaining that Jesus was spending time with the deplorable tax collectors and sinners. He followed up their complaints with the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and then the parable of the prodigal son. The parables of the lost sheep and lost coin illustrated the value that the Lord places on all people, and His desire to seek out lost souls and lead them to salvation. The parable of the prodigal son continues by illustrating the Father’s willingness to forgive and be reconciled to those who repent of their sinful ways and return to Him. Notice in the parable, that the Father did not chase after the younger son. The younger son willfully chose to leave the father and chase after his own desires – and the father allowed him to do that. The father was always willing to receive his son back, but it wasn’t until the son repented of his ways and turned back to the father, that the father moved to meet the son. The Lord does seek out lost people, but He doesn’t chase after those who willfully reject Him. But once the sinner repents, the Father welcomes him back with open arms and celebrates his return. The Pharisees and scribes were represented by the unmerciful older brother who cared more about what he had self-righteously earned than the fact that his younger brother was saved from demise. You could say that the Pharisees and scribes were the creators of the cancel culture of their day – not willing to show mercy nor forgiveness to any sinner who repented.

Joshua 6:1-27; Luke 15:1-10; Psalms 81:8-16; Proverbs 19:26

NT: “All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance. Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’ I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:1-10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The parable of the 1 lost sheep often gets used in worship songs and taken out of context. Jesus was addressing the judge mental Pharisees and scribe that were complaining about Him spending time with tax collectors and sinners (the outcasts of society). All sheep need a shepherd to lead them. Sheep are quite incapable of surviving without someone to lead them to food and water. Isaiah 53:6 declares that all of us have strayed away and gotten lost. The Pharisees and scribes would have been familiar with that passage of scripture, but they refused to apply that to themselves. They did not believe that they needed a shepherd, and most certainly didn’t believe they needed to repent of sin. The parable of the 1 lost sheep is about tax collectors and sinners that are helplessly lost and know that they need a shepherd compared to self-righteous Pharisees and scribes who don’t see their need to follow the Good Shepherd. The lost tax collectors and sinners have value to the Shepherd, and they need to be found and brought into the fold where they can be cared for and protected. Jesus said later in Luke 19:10 that the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost. The parable of the lost coin continues with that thought. All of the coins have equal value. The woman is not willing to lose any of them – just as the Lord is not willing for any souls to be lost. All people have value… all people are lost and helpless when left to their own devices… all people are worth saving. God doesn’t chase down willful runaways, as we will see later, but He is seeking out any lost people who need and are willing to be led to salvation.

Psalms: “Listen, my people, and I will admonish you. Israel, if you would only listen to me! There must not be a strange god among you; you must not bow down to a foreign god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans. If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways, I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭81:8-14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Instead of being unwittingly lost, the nation of Israel knew the way to go. They knew who their God was and they knew His ways because they had His word. They willingly rejected the leading of their Shepherd and chose to go after dead idols instead. Instead of chasing after them, God gave them over to their stubborn hearts, knowing that when they humbled themselves and turned back to Him, we would show them mercy, forgive them, and welcome them back with open arms.

Joshua 5:1-15; Luke 14:25-35; Psalms 81:1-7; Proverbs 19:24-25

OT: “When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied. “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.” Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in homage and asked him, “What does my lord want to say to his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did that.” (‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5:13-15‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

I imagine that there was a lot on Joshua’s mind. They had crossed the Jordan river and were now fully committed to the task of inhabiting the land. The manna that had sustained them for 40 years suddenly stopped appearing, so their only sustenance was in the land they now had to conquer. Moses had died and now he was the leader of this great nation. Would God be present with him and lead him as He had done with Moses? Then Joshua looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. That probably freaked Joshua out even more. So Joshua asked Him the most pertinent question… “Are you for us or against us… Are you our friend or our enemy?” This man was no mere man. He was the pre-incarnate Son of God, the Lord of Hosts, and Commander of the Lord’s army. His answer to Joshua is quite telling. He said that He was neither for them nor for their enemies. He was not there to accomplish Israel’s will, nor was He there to accomplish their enemies’ will. He was there in the name of the Lord to accomplish the Lord’s purposes. Then Joshua did the most rational thing he could do… he bowed down in worship and submission to the Lord. So many times, we want to do our thing while Jesus blesses it. We want Jesus to help us with our our purposes and our agenda. The Lord is not committed to our desires and agenda. He is committed to His word, His will, and His ways. The Lord doesn’t come to be on our side. We must bow down before Him and join His side. Joshua’s concerns were settled when he bowed his face to the ground, removed his sandals, and worshipped the Lord.

NT: “Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters — yes, and even his own life — he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? …Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? …Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? It isn’t fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:25-28, 31, 34-35‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Jesus’ ministry had so impacted the region that great crowds were following Him as He made His way to Jerusalem. Most in the crowd were probably following Him for what they hoped they could get out of Him. Most were probably not willing to pay the cost of being a true disciple. Truly following Jesus requires complete commitment. It requires loving Him, His word, and His ways so much that the love that you have for your family looks like hatred in comparison. That means that earthly ties are not strong enough to sever your allegiance to Him. Being a true disciple of Jesus requires dying to your desires and agenda and committing completely to His desires and agenda. The Lord is the builder of the church, and He will not build His church on half-hearted, fair weather followers that simply want their needs met. The Lord is the King who is at war, and He will not go to battle with unfaithful soldiers who are not willing to lay down their lives for His kingdom. We are salt that remains salty by abiding in Jesus through faith and loving obedience.

Joshua 4:1-24; Luke 14:7-24; Psalms 80:14-19; Proverbs 19:22-23

NT: “He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host. The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in humiliation, you will proceed to take the lowest place. “But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ You will then be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:7-14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Jesus was keenly aware of and spoke against the political gamesmanship and jockeying for position that was prevalent in society. People were more concerned about their societal reputation than on the quality of their character. Banquets were a way to earn status. If you were invited to the right banquets, you would be seen as important. The closer you sat to the host of the banquet, the more honor you had. So when the banquet doors were opened, guests would rush in and try to get the most honorable seat possible. In order to increase their status in society, they would hold banquets of their own and invite those of status to try and increase their standing. Everything was done for selfish gain, self-promotion, and reputation. The way of the Kingdom is not selfishness, but selflessness. Self-promotion is hollow, fake, and short-lasting. True honor is not taken, it is bestowed. We have the choice to humble ourselves or be humiliated. We have the choice of seeking to selflessly honor others or eventually have our honor stripped away. If we choose to take the lowly place in deference to others, and if we choose to bestow honor on those who have no way of reciprocating, we will truly be honored by the One who alone is worthy of all honor. Humility is not a way to get honor. True humility is honorable.

Joshua 3:1-17; Luke 14:1-6; Psalms 80:1-13; Proverbs 19:20-21

OT: “Joshua started early the next morning and left the Acacia Grove with all the Israelites. They went as far as the Jordan and stayed there before crossing. After three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God carried by the Levitical priests, you are to break camp and follow it. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between yourselves and the ark. Don’t go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven’t traveled this way before.” Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, because the Lord will do wonders among you tomorrow.” …The Lord spoke to Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so they will know that I will be with you just as I was with Moses. Command the priests carrying the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the water, stand in the Jordan.” Then Joshua told the Israelites, “Come closer and listen to the words of the Lord your God.” He said, “You will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly dispossess before you the Canaanites, Hethites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites when the ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth goes ahead of you into the Jordan… When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, come to rest in the Jordan’s water, its water will be cut off. The water flowing downstream will stand up in a mass.” When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of the people. Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan, their feet touched the water at its edge and the water flowing downstream stood still, rising up in a mass that extended as far as Adam, a city next to Zarethan. The water flowing downstream into the Sea of the Arabah — the Dead Sea — was completely cut off, and the people crossed opposite Jericho. The priests carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed on dry ground until the entire nation had finished crossing the Jordan.” (‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3:1-5, 7-11, 13-17‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

For 40 years, the nation of Israel wandered around in the wilderness because of their lack of faith and unwillingness to obey the word of the Lord. They were now only a few miles away from the land that God had promised them. The only thing that stood between them and their destination was a flooded Jordan River. Would they once again turn back in fear and unbelief, or would they move forward in faith? The word that they were given was to consecrate themselves (cleanse themselves of the dirt from their wanderings and put on clean clothes) and keep their eyes on the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant was the representation of God’s faithfulness to His covenant and His promise to be with them and go before them. As they kept their eyes on the ark, they kept their faith in the Lord God of the whole earth. When the ark moved forward, they moved forward. As those carrying the ark stepped their feet into swollen uncharted waters, the people moved forward to do the same… and then a miracle happened. God made a way where there was no way, and the entire nation walked into promise and destiny. They moved forward in faith. They navigated the unknown in faith. They stepped into promise by faith… all the while keeping their eyes on the faithful God. For many of us, we began this year with hope and words of promise – then we came to our “flooded Jordan River.” Blocking the way forward has been an unceasing cycle of weather events, plagues, political unrest, economic turmoil, loss of income… it goes on and on. Most alive today have never experienced anything like this… we’ve never traveled this way before. What do we do? Trust in the Lord and His faithfulness to His Word and His words of promise. Keep your eyes on Him and allow Him to lead you into and through the swollen and turbulent waters. If you remain with Him and in Him, you won’t get swept away. Through faith and obedience, we will get through and arrive safely on the other side.

Joshua 2:1-24; Luke 13:22-35; Psalms 79:9-13; Proverbs 19:18-19

NT: ““Lord,” someone asked him, “are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us! ’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from me, all you evildoers!’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown out. They will come from east and west, from north and south, to share the banquet in the kingdom of God.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:23-29‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Someone asked Jesus a theological question about the amount of people who would end up being saved. Instead of answering his question, Jesus basically responded by telling him the question he should be asking is, “Am I saved.” Jesus said to make every effort – endeavor with zeal and contend with adversaries and adversities – to enter the narrow door. Right now, the door is open, but eventually will close. Again, Jesus brings up the truth that the Father’s longsuffering will eventually come to an end and the open door to salvation will one day close shut. Instead of delaying, we need to make every effort to enter while it is open. Just being around religious people or identifying as a religious person isn’t enough – it isn’t fully entering. It’s just hanging around the threshold, just outside the door. Jesus said there will be many who delay or resist fully entering, and when the door does finally close, they will stand outside pounding on the door to no avail, while those inside enjoy the blessings of their endeavors.

Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 1:18; Luke 13:10-21; Psalms 79:1-8; Proverbs 19:17

NT: “As he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.” Then he laid his hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded by telling the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done; therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you untie his ox or donkey from the feeding trough on the Sabbath and lead it to water? Satan has bound this woman, a daughter of Abraham, for eighteen years — shouldn’t she be untied from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he had said these things, all his adversaries were humiliated, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he was doing.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:10-17‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

A woman who had been oppressed, pushed over, and held down by a disabling spirit happened to be in a synagogue where Jesus was teaching. Right in the middle of His teaching, the woman caught His eye – so He called her out and brought her forward in front of everyone. Right there on the spot, He laid His hands on her and authoritatively freed her from her disability. Immediately, her body loosened up and she was able to stand upright for the first time in 18 years. Overwhelmed and overjoyed, she began to glorify God for healing her and setting her free. Instead of rejoicing with her, the leader of the synagogue became indignant. Tradition didn’t allow for healing on the Sabbath. He couldn’t rejoice and celebrate because what Jesus did went against his own categorical stance. Instead of celebrating the woman’s freedom, he shamed the crowd that was rejoicing with her. Not willing to allow partisanship to have the last word and minimize the miracle that had just occurred, Jesus pointed out the error and hypocrisy in the synagogue leader’s offense. The synagogue leader was willing to treat his animal with more care and compassion than this highly valued daughter of Abraham. If he was willing to loose his donkey to eat and drink on the Sabbath, how much more should he be willing to see this woman, created in the image of God, released to worship and serve the Lord on the Sabbath. We can’t allow ourselves to be more loyal to partisan positions than we are to the positions of the Kingdom. We can’t allow political correctness (regardless of what side of the aisle) to prevent us from doing what is right, what is just, what is merciful. We can’t allow a political stance on immigration prevent us from caring for the resident aliens in our midst – as the word of God calls us to do. We can’t allow our political stance for traditional families to prevent us from caring for single moms and their kids (the widows and orphans of our day). Followers of Jesus should, first and foremost, be people of the Kingdom and should be committed to the word, will, and ways of the King and the Kingdom before any party’s platforms. If we will firstly give ourselves to the Kingdom, then the Lord will free us from partisan entanglements that lead to hypocrisy, and will grace us with the ability to establish His Kingdom and accomplish His kingdom agenda.

Proverbs: “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the Lord, and he will give a reward to the lender.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:17‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Kindness (being compassionate, showing mercy, being gracious, acting favorably) is something that the Lord rewards. Even Jesus said that when you serve the poor, you serve Him (Matthew 25:35-40). This is a kingdom promise and a kingdom decree. We are to be kind to the poor, not treat them as less-than or with disdain. When we do so, the kindness that we show will be shown to us.

Deuteronomy 33:18-29; Luke 13:1-9; Psalms 78:70-72; Proverbs 19:15-16

NT: “And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it even waste the soil?’ But he replied to him, ‘Sir, leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:6-9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

According to Leviticus 19:23-25, when a fruit tree is planted, the fruit was not to be harvested for 4 years. The first 3 years, the fruit was forbidden. The fruit from the 4th year was dedicated to the Lord. The man in this parable waited an additional 3 years for fruit to appear on the fig tree. For seven years, the tree had taken up space in the garden and had not produced any fruit. If the tree was not going to bear fruit, he needed to remove it and replace it with a tree that would bear fruit. The garden owner had been more than patient and was willing to wait another year – invest more time and resources into the tree – and give it one last chance. The Lord is similarly patient and longsuffering with us, but the expectation of believers in Christ is that they bear fruit. Jesus spoke a lot about bearing fruit – and he also mentioned several times, that those who do not bear fruit will come to the end of their grace period… that those who have, more will be given – but those who don’t have, even what they have will be taken away. In Christ, we all have the ability to bear fruit. Those who don’t bear fruit are not unable – they are unwilling. God is more that willing to give His grace to those who are willing to be obedient to His word, will, and ways by His grace. But to those who are unwilling to obey – even by the grace that He gives – will come to a point where grace is no longer extended. Am I bearing fruit, or am I just taking up space and consuming resources? That is a question to ask the Lord. If the answer is no, then repent and commit to being fruitful. No matter where you are in the Lord, you can bear fruit by His grace.

Proverbs: “The one who keeps commands preserves himself; one who disregards his ways will die.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:16‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The person who treasures, gives heed to, and observes the mitzvah (the precepts of God), keeps, preserves, and protects himself. However, the person who carelessly walks through life, neglecting disciplines, and making light of the things that matter will, instead of preserving himself will perish prematurely.

Deuteronomy 33:1-17; Luke 12:49-59; Psalms 78:65-69; Proverbs 19:13-14

NT: ““I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how it consumes me until it is finished! Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does. And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time? Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge, the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison. I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:49-59‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

People love to talk about the pleasant and encouraging things that Jesus said and did. They like to view Jesus as a gentile lamb who is always smiling and never gets angry. However, Jesus is also known as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. While God is slow to anger and abounding in grace, there will come a time when His longsuffering comes to an end and His justice begins. The kingdom of darkness is directly opposed to the Kingdom of God. At Christ’s first coming, He came to disarm the kingdom of darkness and destroy the chains of bondage it had over humanity. The baptism that Jesus said that He had to undergo was His death, burial, and resurrection. Once Christ accomplished His victory over the kingdom of darkness, the Kingdom of God was fully released in the hearts and lives of those who follow Him. When we step into fellowship with Jesus, we also step into a war against darkness. Those who are still trapped in darkness will violently oppose the light and life of the Kingdom of God, and thus the division that Jesus spoke of. This time of battle against darkness is a time of mercy and forgiveness for those who will repent and turn to God through Christ. As the day grow darker and more and more people reject Christ, the closer and closer we come to the end of God’s period of mercy and longsuffering. God will withhold His judgement until all the world hears the gospel and has the opportunity to respond – but once every people group has been afforded the opportunity, the fire – the storm – the judgement will come. We know how to predict a coming storm by looking at the weather patterns and radar images. When we know that a storm is coming, we prepare… we go to our safe space. When we have done something wrong and are threatened with a trial before a judge, we will do everything we can to settle out of court so that we don’t have to face the full weight of the justice system. If that is the way we behave in the natural, how much more should we behave that way in the spiritual realm. The window of mercy and longsuffering for the city of Jerusalem was coming to an end. The final straw was Jerusalem’s outright rejection of the Son of God. The fire, storm, and judgement came to Jerusalem in 70AD, when Rome destroyed the city and tore down the temple. That was the initial fulfillment. There is an ultimate fulfillment coming. We can see the signs. A storm is coming. Jesus is our salvation… He is our safe space. Judgement before the Judge of All is inevitable. While there is still time, we can “settle out of court” and have our debts fully paid by the Lamb who was Slain. Will we take advantage of the time that has been given to us?

Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Luke 12:35-48; Psalms 78:60-64; Proverbs 19:10-12

NT: ““Be ready for service and have your lamps lit. You are to be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them. If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, and finds them alert, blessed are those servants. But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” …The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and starts to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten. But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.”” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:35-40, 42-48‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The other day, my daughter asked a really good question: “Why have we become more concerned with mark of the beast and end times theories than we are with the Great Commission?” There are several times throughout the gospels where Jesus was asked about the end times, and He always turned the focus to the Great Commission. He was serious about the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and here He gave a quite somber reality that would be experienced by those who don’t take the Great Commission seriously. Being ready for the return of the Master doesn’t mean that you have all the end-times prophecies figured out and know when He will return. Jesus said that no one – not even He – will know when that date and time arrives… until it arrives. It seems to be a pointless waste of resources to try to figure that out. The way that we make ourselves ready, and stay ready is by involving ourselves day by day in the Masters work. If we do that, then we will be ready for His return whenever it happens. Jesus said, “Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when He comes.” Our job, first and foremost as followers of Jesus and citizens of the Kingdom, is the Great Commission: seeing souls saved and disciples made – either until the end of our life or the end of the age. Blessed is not a word that would describe a “servant” who is found not doing what the Master commissioned him to do. Faithfulness is a big deal to God, and those who are found to be unfaithful to His mission will be relegated a place with the unfaithful. We can read the signs of the times and see that the time for our Master’s return is  getting closer and closer. Now, more than ever, we need to be about His work and staying ready.