That Ye May Be Accounted Worthy (Luke 21:34-36)

2023-04-14

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:34-36)

Jesus tells us this at the end of the Olivet Discourse, where He spoke of both near-term events (i.e., the destruction of Jerusalem) and far away events (i.e., His second coming). The Lord warns of being caught up in indulgence and daily affairs so that one misses huge devasting events that were to come. This warning is not to neglect daily responsibility. However, we must also look for the signs of the times. Who knows if we are near His second coming and the events surrounding that time? But there is enough evil in our own time and country to keep us watching and waiting on Jesus.

Whom does He tell to “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape”? Peter, James, John, and Andrew (Mark 13:3). Of course, the message is for everyone to watch (Mark 13:37), in all times and places. But was it possible that those four disciples would not be counted worthy? But Jesus was commanding them to watch. This calls for humility.

When it comes to judgment and His coming, we cannot be presumptuous about anything. Especially since there will be a lot that will come to pass that will not be according to our expectation.