THROW BACK: Holy Tuesday Thoughts During Covid... The Last Words of Jesus in the Temple

Pray Without Ceasing

Tuesday of Holy Week is when we celebrate the last time Jesus taught in the temple. The Bible says He spent His days in the temple and His nights at the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37). People tend to be very deliberate about the last thing they say if they think it may be THE last thing they say. When reading this passage today in the version called The Message, I was struck by three things. Jesus knew this would be His last opportunity to teach us directly and he told us to be on guard...so that the day of judgment doesn't take us by surprise, to not fall asleep at the switch, and to pray constantly so that we can stand before Him on "that" day. I think this is particularly relevant during this pandemic.

"But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap..." (Luke 21:34f) I think it is fair to say COVID-19 caught a lot of us by surprise...and its just a tiny virus, not Judgment Day. How many of us are thinking "prepper" thoughts, now? I, personally, may never enter a store again without picking up a pack of toilet paper. How much more do we need to be sharp in our expectation of the Judgment? None of us is promised tomorrow. So, it is imperative that our souls are prepared for our own deaths as much as the rapture of the saints. What can we do to be vigilant in our relationship with God? Prayer, Bible study, and reaching people with the Good News! Let's take this time of isolation to sharpen our expectancy for THAT Day.

My grandfather was a railroad engineer, aka train driver. His ability to meet his destination was often dependent on the person "at the switch". That person's job was to keep each train on the proper track. Spending time in the Word of God keeps us awake at the switch. It took me years to understand the difference between Bible reading and Bible studying. It took even longer for me to learn to meditate on the Word. Ensuring we stay awake requires that we do all three. Read the Word to take it in. Then we need to re-read it, slowly with intention, maybe in different translations. Finally, proper meditation on the Bible is to ponder that "thing" that stands out in our study and let God write it on our hearts...we are experiencing unprecedented stillness right now. It is a good and perfect time for meditation on the Word.

Have you ever awakened in prayer? Have you ever "caught" yourself praying while doing the dishes or driving or working? Prayer without ceasing is as much a practiced skill as it is a spiritual gift. When we constantly commune with God with active worship and Bible study, our spirit stays in tune with Him. Our heart longs for more time with Him and our soul speaks to Him even without our being aware. "Pray constantly..." the Scripture says. That is how we will be able to stand before Him when our time on earth is done. In the boredom of quarantine, we should take the opportunity to practice unceasing prayer.

On this Holy Tuesday, let's ponder Jesus last instructions in the Temple. Let's teach ourselves to guard our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies against anything that would distract us from our relationship with Christ. Let's commit to staying awake at the switch so we never get off track in our purpose here. And, let us pray without ceasing so that when our time on earth is done, we can stand before our Savior and hear Him say "well done". May you be blessed this Holy Tuesday.