Be alert, and wise

“Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”                                 Luke 21.36

Jesus predicts certain signs that will come before His return to earth. They signal confusion and distress. He tells us to stand up and raise our heads, and now He’s telling us to be alert at all times.

I am interested in the thought translated that we gain strength to escape all these calamities. And as I refer back to the Greek, this translation is reasonable: ekpheúgõ means to flee, to run away from, to escape a situation. So I believe Jesus is saying: “Be on your guard; recognise the signs and the likely effect on you, and don’t walk into trouble. Be wise! Seek the way of preservation. Escape unfortunate consequences. Indeed, flee if necessary.”

This is a viewpoint I hadn’t given too much consideration to. I’ve probably been fixed in the Christian approach being to face the music, to stick it out, even to the measure of martyrdom if necessary.

My thinking is expanding. There may well be times when I have to “lay it on the line” and follow through, whatever the consequences might be. But I’m also seeing now how there could be times when it’s more prudent to hold back, to reserve my action, any action, pending taking further stock of what might be happening around me.

I heed Jesus’ words, and I ponder what I think He might be saying to me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I ask You for wisdom. You demonstrated so much wisdom in Your life and Your teaching. Please impart some of that to me. Enable me to know when I am to stand and face whatever, and show me also when it is more prudent to escape. And may I honour You in every decision I make. Hallelujah!          Amen.

Testify

“This will give you an opportunity to testify.”                                 Luke 21.13

The circumstances in which I will have opportunity to testify are none too encouraging.

Jesus has spoken firstly of wars and insurrections. He says, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (v10) He prophesies great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in certain places.

But it is before these things that He sees the opportunity given to us to testify. And the conditions that give rise to this opportunity are persecution and imprisonment and challenges by the authorities. This is the background to testimony.

He further tells me not to prepare any defence in advance. I could find this scary. I choose not to be fearful, however, because He tells me that He will give me “words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.” (v15) This is enough for me.

I do not relish the prospect of betrayal, whether it be by brothers, relatives or friends(v16). I do not look forward to the hatred I might receive and I certainly don’t relish the prospect of death. (vv16,17)

But I receive His assurance that not a hair of my head will perish, and my endurance will gain my soul (vv18,19). And I hold on to my faith!

Lord Jesus,

There is nothing that can happen to me that You have not experienced, that You will not be aware of, and that You cannot lead me through. I give You all my concerns, and my fear. Yes, I will be nervous and fearful, I know this. But I also know that You are with me, and You will not abandon me. This is the greater reality. Help me to remember this, and to hold to it at all times, especially reaching out to You in those moments of difficulty. You are there for me, and I thank You. May my testimony honour You.                    Amen.

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