Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Matthew chapter 24 verses 15 and 16:
15 ‘So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand),16then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; 17someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; 18someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. 19Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! 20Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. 21For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23Then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!”—do not believe it.
Jesus does not call or expect everyone to be martyrs. Nor does he wish us to think that all circumstances can be changed by the power of prayer and negotiation. Sometimes evil and abusive persons and powers take hold of houses, businesses, churches, and governments. In such times, there is no use wishing for a deliverance which will not come. Nor is there necessarily any valor in subjecting oneself to harm or danger.
There are times when we simply need to do what we can to protect ourselves. Sometimes this means fleeing. Sometimes it means not just walking but actually running away.
To leave does not always imply a lack of faith or courage. But what it can demonstrate is a real understanding of the danger of the circumstances and the likelihood that they’ll get a whole lot worse before they ever get better.
I know this isn’t exactly an optimistic Lesson from Jesus. But it’s one worth learning before it’s too late.
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