The language of Luke 21:34-36 is one of those examples that deals with how easy it is for substituting things in this life. The passage is using the current reality of many, in a figurative sense, to illustrate a very important point. Many use alcohol and other vices to escape the reality that they know... it's a relief or substitute for living and dealing with the challenges life presents.

Figuratively, Jesus applied this illustration to His disciples and instructed them to "take heed to themselves" for fear they take their eyes off of Him and their responsibility as His ambassadors upon the earth. It would be easy to substitute that responsibility with getting weighed down and overwhelmed with the world they lived in. If they didn't take "personal accountability and responsibility" (the idea of taking heed to themselves) they would get sidetracked and off mission.

This world we live in will make you sick and poison your mind like strong alcohol and leave you hungover and useless if we fail to see our mission and take our eyes off Jesus. Don't let it distract you... don't let it substitute your duty as a disciple maker. I know it can be frustrating and weigh heavily upon you... with all that's happening in our day, but I encourage you to turn to the Lord and wait upon Him. (Isaiah 40:31) It's something we cannot substitute... with frivolous and useless things.

Can I share a few more thoughts with you in regards to the catastrophic events that have been taking place around the world. First off, these things are hard, and even harder to swallow, without finding a bitter taste in our mouths, anger and outrage in our spirits, and a sickness in our stomachs. Secondly, they are new to us in many ways, but they're not new to this planet we dwell upon. They have been around a long time.

Jesus warned us in Luke 21... and specifically in 21:34-36, as mentioned above, that if we're not careful, we would be overwhelmed and weighed down by the trouble He mentioned in the previous verses (7-33). We can become so affected by the events and atmosphere of the times that we can get to the place that we'll be as useless as a drunkard on a terrible hangover.

He was teaching them, and therefore, us, that if we're not cautious, we'll let the challenges we're confronted with consume our focus and attention and get so weighed down and burdened by it that it trips us up from being a servant of a King that can make a real and lasting difference.

The words He used, like overcharged, surfeiting and drunkenness to explain the DEPTH and DEGREE that the craziness of these days, along with the typical cares of this life, would no doubt overwhelm us, if we are not careful take responsibility to keep our eyes on Him. They have the potential to make us sick and intoxicated with its poison and render us unfit to stand with Jesus, as His servant with an assignment upon this fallen earth.

The issue is not about the disciples becoming drunkards... the message is relating to the distinct EFECTS of what they see, hear and experience during these difficult days, if they're not prepared, can create within them same effects of the poison of a drunken stupor. They will become sick with a headache that impacts their entire bodies (like a hangover), which then poisons (like alcohol does the mind and body) their system and compromises how they see and hear. And when they get so caught up with all the affairs of this world and lose their focus on the Biblical reality that God really is at work in all this they get overwhelmed and become angry or bitter or apathetic or cynical. The result? They fail to love and live like Jesus. This means they will be defensive and threatened and now completely unapproachable and without any compassion for those without a shepherd. When they find themselves in this place, they become unfit to represent Jesus and serve the fallen people of this crazy world. Not because they don't have the resources but they failed to ready themselves for what Jesus graced them for. And now the circumstance of their times are governing their lives and not Jesus and His truth.

These are the days... that we've been providentially given. We can default back to our self-centeredness or diligently prepare our hearts for what’s coming and redeem the time.

"Take heed, (take personal responsibility) watch (be aware and alert) and pray (trust God hears, knows and desires to transform and use you); for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch... and what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:32-37)

Adrain Rogers insight:

Discipline says, "I need to watch!"

Duty says, "I ought to watch!"

Devotion says, "I want to watch!"

I added to it:

Dedication says, "I get to watch!"

Determination says, "I must watch... however long it takes! "

Diligence says, "I will watch... today!"

Blessings friends, may you have a glorious day serving my great and gracious King. Your friend, in the fight for faith.