Luke 17:22-37

Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.

Jesus has just addressed the Pharisees regarding the nature and proximity of God’s Kingdom, and now he turns to his disciples. Read Luke 17:22-37 noting any questions that arise as you read.

The conversation between Jesus and his disciples is becoming more and more urgent as the time nears for Jesus’ arrest and execution. Yes, Jesus will take back his life and rise from the grave, but shortly after he will go to be with God and will not be physically present with the disciples until the day he returns to earth to set all things right. It is imperative that the disciples are wise enough to spot false “messiahs” who hold out fictitious hopes for a better world.

The age of God’s Kingdom broke into world when Jesus was born, but we are still living in the time between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension and the day when he will come again. As followers of Jesus, we have been given his very Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to guide and comfort us in this “already, not yet” time, but staying focused on Jesus takes purposeful faith.

We cannot allow our faith to drift toward a person or a system – Jesus must always be our true north.

Stop to assess where your hopes for today and the future lie. Is your faith firmly focused on Jesus, or are there certain people or systems that you are looking to for guidance and comfort? Talk openly with Jesus about this.

Read Luke 17:22-37 again.

Jesus’ message to the disciples toward the end of this passage takes on an apocalyptic tone, so it’s important that we understand that the ancient word for “apocalypse” in its fullest meaning refers to an unveiling or revelation of truth. When Jesus returns the true reality of God’s Kingdom will be revealed and shalom will once again be restored completely. All other “realities” will be unveiled and exposed as false.

Take some time to meditate on the vision of a world restored to shalom. Imagine how relationships would look and how the natural would around you would be different. Notice any desires or conflicted feelings that arise as you think about this. Share these with Jesus.

Now go to silence and listen to Jesus.

What might Jesus be inviting you to do or do differently today?

Will you?

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