34 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. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 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. 37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. (Luke 21:34-38 KJV)
Watch Yourselves
Jesus counsels his disciples to be ready and prepared for that day (Luke 21:36). Our aim should be “that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things”—that when God’s judgments fall, we may either be spared from them entirely or not suffer their worst effects. In death, may we escape its sting, which is God’s wrath and eternal condemnation.
But more than that, may we be able “to stand before the Son of Man”—not only to be acquitted before him as Judge (Psalm 1:5), but to serve him continually, like those in Revelation 7:15 who serve in his temple day and night, and always see his face, like the angels (Matthew 18:10). The saints are said to be “accounted worthy,” as in Luke 20:35. God, by his grace, makes them fit for such joy and, by his favor, counts them worthy of it. As Grotius notes, much of our worthiness lies in acknowledging our unworthiness.
Our action in pursuit of that aim must be this: “Watch therefore, and pray always.” These must go together (Nehemiah 4:9). Those who would escape wrath and gain joy must make watching and praying the business of their lives:
(1) To keep guard over themselves: “Watch against sin, watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Be awake, and stay awake, expecting your Lord’s coming, so you’re ready to welcome him.”
(2) To maintain fellowship with God: “Pray always”—maintain a constant readiness for prayer, keep regular times for it, practice it frequently, and pray on every occasion. Those who live a life of prayer in this world will be counted worthy to live a life of praise in the next.
In the final two verses, we’re told how Christ spent his time during the few days between his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the night he was betrayed.
He taught in the temple all day. Christ preached during the week as well as on the Sabbath. He was tireless in his preaching, speaking openly even in the presence of those seeking to trap him.
At night, he went to lodge on the Mount of Olives, about a mile outside the city, likely at a friend’s home. Though he had friends in the city who would have welcomed him, he chose to retreat from the noise of the city for quiet time and private devotion, as his death approached.
Each morning, he returned to the temple, where he held early teachings for those eager to hear him. The people came early in the morning to hear him (Luke 21:38), like doves returning to their windows, despite efforts by the religious leaders to turn them against him. Sometimes, the sincere appetite that simple, honest people have for sound teaching is more valuable than the opinions of the learned or powerful.