The big question: are you ready? (Feb 28, 2025)

Listen:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/3e62621b/the-big-questi...

Spring flirts - especially here in North Carolina, with gardeners like me who can't wait to plant flowers and summer herbs and vegetables. The green shoots of daffodils I planted last year have magically pushed through the hard, recently frozen earth.

Hmmm...so is it time to put Winter away and welcome Spring? O, such a thought. Easter comes late this year, but it beckons nonetheless -- just as Jesus' steady footfalls toward Jerusalem play in the background of Luke's gospel.

Sometimes as we read Scripture, there are obvious takeaways and applications for our personal lives. We find the Bible instructive, sometimes comforting, encouraging and helpful. Other times, what we read is mostly informative, like the history of God's people (much of the historical writings in the Old Testament) and our God - his character, his plans and his ways. In the gospels, we learn from Jesus--how to do what He did and become more like him. For instance, Jesus stole away to be alone in prayer . . . huh, if Jesus made prayer a priority in his life, how much more ought we?!

Alongside what we gather from Jesus in the gospel accounts, is what we learn people thought about Jesus, and how they responded to him. While the crowds adored him, the Jewish leaders were threatened by him. As his popularity grew, so did the ire of the Pharisees.

Look now at Luke chapter 12: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 12&version=ESV

Luke describes how the crowds were growing, in number and in anticipation.

He details Jesus' instruction to his disciples-

>be wary of hypocrites ...

Friends, this is the number one reason people today push back from the church, from Christians--hypocrisy. People say one thing and they do another. Hey Christian, let's you and me do better!

Jesus further told those who wanted to follow him and be like him:

>do not be afraid because the Father sees, knows and watches over all, right down to the number of hairs on your heads. (And just what is that number? It seems the average human head has about 100,000 hairs, but only the Lord knows what number that is - intriguing to me)

Jesus further told his disciples

>'claim me before men or I will not claim you before my Father'

And then:

>'make sure your priorities are straight! -not things or possessions, not status or comfort, but relationship with Me!'

>'do not worry about stuff - I mean, do not worry about material goods, I will provide for you. Put me first and all the other things will be there.'

>'this might cause division in your family, but I must be first'

Summed up in this: I am coming back. Be ready.

Until then, do not worry. "I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. . ." Luke 12.22-31

A lot happens in this long chapter, but I want to encourage you to look at it through the lens of Jesus'clear instruction and warning. Be ready for his return! Jesus came the first time as a defenseless babe, but when he comes again, it will be to establish his reign and rule. His coming could be any day - but until then, it is our privilege to live for him, trusting him for all that we need.

Are you ready? You certainly are if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, asking him to forgive your sins, entrusting yourself to him each day.

Brand new song, When I Kneel to Pray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL7hA6AC5Zk

Today is a gift, tomorrow not guaranteed -

seek Jesus today.

Christine

Luke, 42