*Luke 17:20-37
Jesus instructs his disciples on the sudden arrival of the Kingdom of God, the importance of perseverance, and vigilance in preparation for the end times.
- Question on the Kingdom:
- The Pharisees ask Jesus when the kingdom of God will come.
- Jesus responds that the kingdom isn’t something observable; instead, it’s already among them.
- Teaching to the Disciples:
- Jesus tells his disciples that the days are coming when they will long to see the “days of the Son of Man,” but won’t see them immediately.
- He cautions them not to follow those who claim to have seen him or point to specific locations.
- Comparison to Lightning:
- He explains that when the Son of Man comes, it will be as visible and sudden as lightning flashing across the sky.
- Before that, the Son of Man must endure suffering and rejection by the current generation.
- Comparisons to Noah and Lot:
- Jesus compares the days leading up to his return to the time of Noah, when people were living their lives as usual until the flood came.
- He also compares it to Lot‘s time in Sodom, when people were living their normal lives until fire and sulfur destroyed the city.
- He emphasizes that his return will be equally sudden, with no time to prepare.
- Call for Readiness:
- Jesus warns that on that day, those on their rooftops or in the fields shouldn’t go back to retrieve belongings.
- He urges his followers to remember Lot’s wife, who looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
- He teaches that those who try to preserve their lives will lose them, but those who are willing to let go will find life.
- Separation of People:
- Jesus illustrates that on that day, people will be separated even in close relationships.
- He describes how two people may be in one bed, or two women grinding grain together, and one will be taken while the other is left.
- Question of Timing and Location:
- The disciples ask where all of this will happen.
- Jesus responds, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather,” implying that the signs will be clear and unmistakable.
Luke 17:20-37 reminds us to stay ready for God’s kingdom and not get too caught up in the things of this world. Jesus teaches that His kingdom is already here in our hearts when we follow Him, but one day He will return, and we must be prepared. Instead of focusing only on success, possessions, or daily worries, we should live with faith, kindness, and a heart that seeks God. Just like in Noah’s time, people were busy with life and didn’t expect what was coming. This passage encourages us to live each day with purpose, making choices that honor God.
Luke 17:20-37 (WEB)
17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation; 21 neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”22 He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away or follow after them, 24 for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 As it was in the days of Noah, even so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky and destroyed them all. 30 It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 In that day, he who will be on the housetop and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him who is in the field likewise not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.” 3637 They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?”He said to them, “Where the body is, there the vultures will also be gathered together.”