What Jesus Did! 'Longing for the Son of Man' — Luke 17:22-24

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Then [Jesus] said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won't see it. People will tell you, 'Look, there is the Son of Man,' or 'Here he is,' but don't go out and follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man comes."
— Luke 17:22-24 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus warns about three things important to disciples:
  1. They will long for the presence of the Son of Man — in other words, Jesus' physical presence will be leaving them.
  2. After Jesus has returned to God, people will make false claims that Jesus has returned and will trouble his disciples into thinking they have missed his return.
  3. To the latter warning, Jesus makes a promise that when he returns, no one will miss his coming, and no one will doubt his return. His return will be as obvious as lightning which shatters the darkness of the night sky.

As Christians, we wait in hope for this day, and we long for the appearing of the Son of Man. Until that day and while we feel this longing, let's make every moment count as we live to honor our returning Lord and King!

Today's Prayer

God, my Abba Father, I long for the day I come home to you and share in the glory of your Son and the angels that will accompany him on his return for us, your children. Until that day, empower me to live boldly for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Revelation 1:4-7
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  • 1 Corinthians 15:52-53

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 17:22-24 NLT — "The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won't see it."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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