Luke 17:20-37 - Ready and Waiting

Christine Fairfield

17 March 2026 07:00

Are we there yet? How many of us have been asked that question?

The Pharisees are asking that question to Jesus about the arrival of the Kingdom of God, but Jesus points out it is already in their midst - they seem to have missed it - there has been no obvious revelation for them.

That said, Jesus points out that the Kingdom is still to be completed in all its fulness, but then it really will be unmissable for all, as Jesus returns to a lightning show like never before!

Jesus asks us not to worry about dates or signs of when it will be. We are to be cautious of those who try to predict it.

Does that mean we sit back and wait? No!

Jesus calls us to be ‘actively ready’.

We are to walk faithfully forward to the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God with no looking back – we are reminded of what happened to Lot’s wife. We are to continue with life but be ‘ready’. We are told not to hold onto the things of this world too tightly – all of it is transient compared to the value of our promised treasure in heaven.

Martin Luther said:

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”