Judging Our Present Time

Stormy night in the US midwest.

Scripture:

Luke 12:54   He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. ⁵⁵ And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Luke 12:57   “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸ Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.”

Observation:

We are reminded that not only was Jesus talking to the disciples, but there was a crowd listening as well. He asked them to open their eyes and pay attention to what was happening around them. 

The people were fascinated with the idea of predicting the weather, for they had learned to watch for the signs in the sky. When they saw those signs, they were able to take action. Jesus was challenging them to read the signs that they were seeing right in front of them. The large crowds and the preaching of Jesus were like a cloud rising in the west. Yes, something was going to happen in the land. 

Neale tells us:

Most people are good at seeing the trees, but few are able to see the forest. Jesus’ question calls for reflection: Why indeed do we not know how to judge our present time? It is easy to become so absorbed in the details of the present that we miss the implications of the age we are in. The present moment requires a calm spirit to find God’s presence in the melee of life (NBBC).

Jesus continued with a parable, challenging them to judge what they were witnessing with their own eyes. Experiencing this movement of Jesus Christ, they were to judge what was right. The parable is, again, about reading the signs of the times, and making common-sense decisions. This is also a foreshadowing of the judgement of God upon the people. In a practical sense, it also speaks to our stubbornness. There are times when we refuse to acknowledge our own culpability in a situation and, decide to dig in our heels. Humility in our hearts and lives means that we willingly confess when we are wrong. If we don’t, we will pay a very heavy and exacting price. 

Application:

It’s Neale’s comments here that really struck me today. I have the feeling that many of us are stuck seeing the trees. There are many sociological and political issues that seem to smack us in the face on a daily basis. However, we may be getting tangled up in the weeds, without looking at the big picture of what is happening. From God’s perspective, are these simply signs of a storm that is brewing, and does that storm include a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit? 

The people in Jesus’ day didn’t understand that the turmoil was pointing to something much larger. Maybe we need to judge our present times in terms of what God wants to do in and through all of us. Neale urges us to retain “a calm spirit to find God’s presence in the melee of life.” What great advice. 

We may be trying to judge our present times by spending our time in the weeds. Jesus is calling us to see the big picture of the Father’s plans. Let’s not fight this present age, but continually and gracefully participate in Jesus’ mission, becoming a calming presence in the midst of chaos. 

Prayer:

Lord, I look to you today and everyday. May you be my gracious guide. Amen.