Final Warning and Exhortation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States has been saying that looking at a text or texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving drunk. Yet, it hasn’t stopped people from texting or looking at their smartphones while driving.

The Lord Jesus has been cautioning his first-century audience about the imminent horrible disasters they would face, predicting Roman invasion and temple destruction. But soon after his death, resurrection, and ascension, there would be some years of peace when they would forget these warnings. They would start believing in Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, a propaganda promoted by Rome between 27 BC and AD 180. Therefore, he concluded his speech by saying,

“Pay attention to yourself lest your hearts are burdened by hangover and drunkenness or life’s troubles because that day will come upon you suddenly. As a snare, it will come upon all those sitting on all the earth’s surfaces” (Luke 21:34–35).

Those who got drunk and later felt a hangover know how difficult every decision was. Their reaction time would be slow, and fog would cover their thought process. Surprisingly, life’s troubles had a similar effort—unable to pay attention or stay alert. As such, one walked into a trap, as animals did. Disasters came on everyone, and anyone who wasn’t alert became a victim.

He continued,

“Do not sleep (agrupneo) by praying every hour so that you’ll have the strength to flee these days that are coming upon you” (21:36a).

Although translations say, “stay awake,” Jesus used an antonym to “stay awake” (gregoreo), i.e., “do not sleep” (a-grupneo). A person could avoid sleep only when something intense happens, such as a celebration (New Year’s or Independence Day), an event (war or travel through dangerous waters or locations), an occasion (the birth of one’s baby or wedding night), or danger, etc. Praying every hour could have the same reaction of not sleeping through the night. The Lord Jesus said that to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane. He wanted everyone not to sleep but to pray so they would have the strength to flee the horrible days that were coming upon them.

As he had been reminding them that behind such disastrous days were deliverance and God’s rule, he concluded by saying,

“Do not sleep by praying every hour so that . . . you may stand before the Son of Man” (21:36b).

Yes, painful days would visit them soon. But the Son of Man was right behind them. That was why they were to pay attention, not sleep, and be strengthened, unlike drunks, people with hangovers, and those afflicted with life’s trials.

It is difficult for us to look past cloudy days, unclear thoughts, painful events, and life’s trials. But we must because behind them stands the Lord, with deliverance in his hands.