New World's Resolution (Luke 21:33-36)

"Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. “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, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 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.” (Luke 21:33-36 NLT)

Jesus always made it a habit to talk about things that matter. One of His more popular topics was the "end of the world as we know it". Lots of drama, lots of caution, and warnings all around that probably freaked everybody out.

Why did He do it?

Because at the end of the day He wanted everyone to be perfectly clear about one thing: you and I don't belong here.

On that note, Jesus concludes His speech with a series of sobering thoughts:

1. Guard your heart and keep sin out (vs. 34)
2. Keep your life focused on eternity (vs. 35).
3. Stand strong because not everyone will (vs. 36).

If Jesus refers to the end times as the "coming horrors" I think we ought to take Him seriously. He didn't even use such graphic language to describe the cross! It's as if He pleading with us to jump ship and brace for impact by digging in our heels into the two things that carry eternal significance (His Word and His Kingdom) vs. 33.

If you knew the stock market was going to crash next week it wouldn't make much sense to invest your life savings today. In the same way, Jesus is asking us to sell our stock in this life and buy up shares in His Kingdom like there's no tomorrow (because at some point in time there won't be).

But if we allow ourselves to get too comfortable in this life, no matter how good it gets, we can only expect disappointment when our hope is mostly in this fading reality we call life.

So Jesus challenges us to avoid the traps of this life that dull our hearts to the reality of His coming Kingdom (vs 34). Paul pleads with us to "set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 NLT).

The bottom line is that we simply can't afford to live intoxicated by this world only to have our hearts fail us in the end. According to Jesus, only the strong survive (vs. 36). So resolve today and every day to "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power....[and] Stand your ground..." (Ephesians 6:10, 14 NLT).

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