Scripture Passage
(The "enigmatic" Mona Lisa)
Scripture Focus“Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.” (Luke 17:37 NLT)
Observation
Is it just I (yep, that’s correct grammar—I checked), or are these readings from the gospel growing more intense? In today’s reading, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (think of that!), and raises the ire of the Sanhedrin. That’s a bit ironic—people are being raised from the dead by the power of God and God’s power brokers are none too happy about it! Caiaphas, the high priest, unwittingly seizes the opportunity to prophetically call for the atoning death of Christ.
Given the plot on His life, Jesus retreats—not unwilling to give His life, but quite in control of giving it in the Father’s timing. In that context, He’s asked, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” (Luke 17:20 NLT) His response (in my paraphrase) suggests, “It won’t be as tangible and ‘target-able’ as you think. Indeed, the kingdom is already present!”
Having again announced the Kingdom’s imminence, Jesus then speaks to his disciples—but changes the subject, describing the darkness of the days to come and the drastic suddenness of His return to earth. People will be oblivious to the events around them, Jesus suggests, and will find their preoccupied lives abruptly interrupted, His return as sudden and startling as a bolt of lightning flashing across the sky.
The disciples are rightly intrigued and ask, “Where will this happen, Lord?” (Luke 17:37 NLT) Jesus’ answer is enigmatic:
“Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.” (Luke 17:37 NLT)
As best as I can put my finger on it, today’s reading challenges me toward a much greater sensitivity to the voice of God and awareness of the activity of God than I usually exhibit. The advance of God’s Kingdom and the imminent return of Christ are not as matter-of-fact, clear-cut, free-from-confusion as some might like to make them seem. Spiritual sensitivity is required in the present, and will be required in the days to come. His Kingdom’s advance and the signs and evidences of His coming aren’t as tangible as we wish they were. Circumstances and events will need to be read with divine understanding. An underlying suggestion is that those who don’t develop said sensitivity may well miss what God is doing.
So…how can I develop an awareness of the presence and activity of God in such significant days? Well, I think that’s where Luke 18—Jesus’ challenge to persistent prayer—enters the picture and shapes the answer to Jesus’ closing question: “When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:8 NLT)
A relationship of utter dependence upon God, evidenced by passionate persistent prayer, stands as foundational to the kind of spiritual sensitivity called for in today’s Scripture. I think I’ll get to work on that.
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