Soberning Warnings

 

^{Luke 17: 26-37}

^{The Day of the Son of Man}

²⁶ “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. ²⁷ People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

²⁸ “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ²⁹ But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

³⁰ “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. ³² Remember Lot’s wife! ³³ Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. ³⁴ I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”  ³⁶Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”³⁷ “Where, Lord?” they asked.

He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

We might find ourselves a bit frightened by this stark description  of the return of the Son of Man. but Jesus wants to remind us that "we have not here a lasting city", and that we must be on the alert to receive "the call", whether or not it is for me personally or for the whole world. Complacency is dangerous and indifference, even worse. Do we ever think of living each day as if it were our last?  If we did, our daily interactions, our thoughts and plans would be much different, we'd be better people and the world would be a better place. As we remember our Veterans today, may we remember the great wars that took so many of our military and millions of civilians, whose ordinary life span was cut short. They still serve us today by reminding us of the shortness of this life as well as the value of trying to preserve what we have. May we heed their message as well as the stark warnings of Jesus.

Bro. Rene

 Dear Lord, On this November 11th, we ask for an additional outpouring of grace and strength on all who have served in our armed forces. Only those who have served can understand the cost of time, sweat, and heart required to protect that which we cherish. May their sacrifices always be remembered and their hearts be filled with peace and love. Amen.

Micheal F. Brooker, Colonel USMC (retired)