Jesus isn't just about peace

Please don't tell me that the Christian message of Jesus is only about peace and doing nice things. That does a tremendous amount of injustice to the recorded teachings we have from him. Four instance, Luke 21...

Luke 21:25 “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man* coming on a cloud with power and great glory.* 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” 

Look at what Jesus says in verse 26: "people will be terrified at what they see coming upon the Earth". There is a lot of talk about climate change even now in this generation. Most scientists agree it is for real. How amazing that Jesus was right 2000 years ago about the changes in the season the strange times that people would see and fear.

As always we need to ask ourselves what our response should be.

We should see these signs as proof that Jesus was right in our faith is real. We should take courage and the fact that we serve the Lord of lords and King of Kings the ruler of the heavens and the earth.

But we also need to be on our guard. Later in the same chapter Jesus would say this: Luke 21:34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”

Jesus warns us against desensitized hearts from the things we will see in the world. The implication being that many Christians will be dulled by the sins of the world. Everywhere you look you see advertisements that sell using sex and alcohol and pleasure. You don't even need to search for immorality today, it finds you. What is it? The desensitization of people as the earth rumbles towards a cataclysmic end.

How are we guard our hearts? Jesus says the must pray to be strong. How many generations of been saved by revivals because of people who prayed! Prayer is our secret weapon as the world grows darker. 

Prayer prepares you for the return of the Lord. In the long section of the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6, Paul concludes with four admonitions to pray, to keep alert, to make intercession for all the saints. Prayer is our priority because Jesus promised that there would not be peace on the Earth at the time of His coming.

Turn off the television. Put down the electronic device. Seek God, quiet your soul before Him. Let the world go on without you for a few moments and get along with your father. Nothing prepares you for the battle like prayer.

Prayer:

Lord I want to be ready. I want to be that servant you find alert awake and waiting for your return. Thank you for the promise of your soon return. I pray that my heart longs for you and desires you above anything else in this world. In Jesus name, amen!