PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 17:26-37
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” (Luke 18:37)
Jesus is talking about the coming of the kingdom of God (17:20).
He says it cannot be observed, nor can you figure out where it is (17:20-21)
Yet the disciples still respond to Jesus by asking “Where, Lord?” (17:37)
Jesus said the kingdom was “within” (17:21), but what does that look like?
I think Jesus is telling us to look for the signs of LIFE or DEATH.
By LIFE I do not mean living it up, the good life (eating, drinking, etc.)
Lot’s wife looked back to this worldly life, and ended up losing it all.
Rather the Jesus LIFE, the life of loving God and loving people.
The LIFE characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23)
This kind of life will be evident to others, as will its absence.
Two people may appear the same – birds flying together – but they will be different.
Those who pursue goodness will help others; those who don’t won’t.
Jesus is urging his disciples to seek first God’s kingdom life, not a worldly life.
Do people sense a dove “within me” or a vulture?
PRAYER
Lord, I want to be a person of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. May this be the LIFE I pursue, and may others sense this Spirit (dove) within and around me.
Lord help us live everyday like it’s the last! As though today will be the last good that I do and each action will define my legacy as living for you or not. Help me discard what must be discarded!
Forget the stuff! Seek God’s kingdom. Too often I pay way too much attention to caring for my stuff. How wrong that is- the priority is wrong. The stuff is for me to use well for the kingdom. When my time comes – don’t look back – forget the stuff! It is dead – that is for the vultures. That’s what it seems like sometimes after a person dies and the ‘will’ is read. Lord Jesus, help me keep the priority right!
Noah and his family were saved in the ark while those out of the ark ‘drowned – were not saved by His grace. They went their own way and did not listen to His voice. Today I need to heed to His Word and life for Jesus. My words and deeds must show that Christ Jesus is living in me. All for Jesus.
1
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed pow’rs;
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
2
Let my hands perform His bidding;
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let mine eyes see Jesus only;
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
Let my lips speak forth His praise.