“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36 (ESV)
There is coming a day when I will leave this life behind. It could be when the Lord returns, which is what this passage refers to. Or it could be when I die. I do not know when either of those will occur, although I may have some warning that my death is imminent. Jesus’ words to us here give us some direction in how we should live while we wait for that day.
He tells us to watch ourselves. Don’t let the pleasures or worries of this life trap you, turning your attention away from the Lord. This is reminiscent of the seed sown on rocky and thorny ground (Lk. 8:11-15). To watch ourselves implies self-evaluation. How well am I living up to my calling? Have I buried what I was given? Or am I investing it in the kingdom (Lk. 19:11-26)? How fruitful is my life?
That day will come suddenly, whether death or the Lord’s return. But whenever it comes, it should not catch us sleeping. It will be good if, when he comes for us, he finds us faithfully serving him (Mt. 24:45-51, 1 Jn. 2:28).
And he tells us to pray. Pray that we will have the strength we need to stand firmly in the evil days we face in this life. And that we will be able to stand before our Lord and hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt. 25:21), rather than “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Mt. 7:21-23).
