Do You Discern This Time?

Daily Devotional – Thursday, January 4, 2024
How is it you do not discern this time?
Luke 12:56 (NKJV)

Irrespective of the level of one’s education, most people know how to interpret weather and climatic prompts. In the village, I see people starting to plant weeks before the rains come. Whether through instinct, learning, or experience, we are wired to understand this aspect of nature.

Do you Analyze the Present?

The people in Christ’s day were not different, and Jesus used this fact to teach them critical spiritual lessons. Here is Luke’s record: “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it that you do not discern this time?” (Luke 12:56).

The Jews were living in the Messianic era and interacting with Christ, yet they did not discern Him. The events that would follow, including Christ’s death and the destruction of Jerusalem, would devastate the people. Now was the time to make peace with God through genuine repentance and the forsaking of sin.

Is Your Spirituality Important?

Instead, while they were well-versed in temporal affairs, they were ignorant of spiritual matters. If only they could discern the time they were living in and the impending events, they would accept the gospel and the eternal life Jesus was offering them!

We are not different from these people. We analyze trends in the family, national economy, politics, sports, and so on, but we are oblivious to the brevity of time and the gathering storms of the end times. It makes spiritual sense to be knowledgeable about secular and mundane issues but ignorant of the need for spiritual nourishment and vigilance.

Do You Discern this Time?

Do you discern this time? Are you aware that Jesus is about to return and that all the signs He predicted have either occurred or are ongoing? How are you preparing for Christ’s Second Advent?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach me how to discern this time and, by Your power, to prepare for your second coming.