Kingdom Building
November 16, 2019
Scripture Reading: Luke 21:5-19
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, ‘As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.’
They asked him, ‘Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?’ And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them. –Luke 21:5-8
What is valuable to us? What are our priorities? What is valuable to God and what are God’s priorities? How well do our values and priorities mess with God’s? One of the important comments made after a devastating fire or storm when people have lost most of their possessions is the statement that at least we are still alive, we have each other possessions can be replaced.
There was another school shooting this week in the USA. Two youth were killed, three more were shoot and the killer shot himself but survived. I heard a survivor when interviewed saying something to the effect that students are being killed and nobody cares. We must ask ourselves why is this happening and what do we need to do to save our children? The only answer I can discern is that we as a nation have lost sight of the values on which this nation was formed and the only priorities that seem to be in play are lust for power and greed. We are indeed being led astray and it is impacting all aspects of our lives even the safety of our children. We must beware that we are being led astray and we must reestablish our basic values and priorities. In the instance described here the juvenile shooter at a very young age seems to have lost all hope and seems to have been led astray by false values.
Jesus Christ came to seek out and to save the lost*. Those of us who follow Christ are called to do the same thing. We are called to live through example and through the work of reconciliation to bring all God’s people together as one. Such work requires us to first let go of those things of the world that are distracting us so that we can get about the business of seeking God’s priorities through loving God and loving others.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught up in the distractions of the world. Create in us clean hearts and right spirits so we will be conduits of reconciliation. Amen.
*Luke 19:10
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.