34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives. 38 And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Dania Mourad

Today is the final part of Jesus’ teaching about signs of the end. This last section serves as a clear reminder to all believers living in the last days. Jesus urges us not to be weighed down by worldly concerns — “dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life” (verse 34). This made me reflect on how often I fall victim to anxiety — ungodly worry about the unknown future, fear of how plans will unfold, and scenarios I can’t control. It’s easy to get caught up in fearing the worst. I also think of those who turn to drunkenness or other temptations as a way to cope with the world’s pressures.

I am especially thankful for verse 36, which reminds us to “pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen.” This is a clear instruction to keep our focus on God, by praying and staying alert. We are given both the responsibility and the solution to overcome being weighed down by the world’s concerns. This reminds me of 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” How incredible it is that we can lay our worries before God in prayer, a sacred time of communion with our Father, and know that he hears and answers out of love for us.

This world is imperfect, sinful, and full of despair, but we hold on to the promised hope we have in Jesus. When we believe in Him and surrender our lives, we can rest assured in the future He has for us, a future beyond our comprehension. I pray that we all choose to seek God, who cares for us, loves us, and provides peace in a world that gives into sin. May we lean fully on Jesus in all seasons of life and remember that our lives ultimately belong to Christ. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dania is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.