Another year has passed before us. Some things have changed while others have remained the same. But life is fragile and constantly in flux. Fragility is one of humanity’s greatest weaknesses. It is why we are born as vulnerable infants and hopefully only slowly, relative to the broadest definition of time, grow into self-sufficient adults. Our tastes change. Our likes and dislikes change. Our very personalities change as time moves ever forward. Change is, in fact, an earmark of humanity. So what does not change? What anchor or rock can we firmly attach ourselves to for stability? “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” - Hebrews 13:8.
The question posed by the Apostle Luke is simple in regard to its basic concern. ‘Why do you wait?’ What is keeping us from acting in our best interests? Why are we seemingly more content with being adrift throughout our lives than being tethered to something we can truly count on? Do we really seek the dark and distant unknown? “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 8:11-12. The ‘sons of the kingdom’ refer to unbelieving Jews in Christ’s day. But as for the rest of contemporary humanity: why do we wait?
The Apostle’s advice is tried and true - rise, be baptized, wash away our sins, call upon His name - all four are actions dependent upon us . . . or so it seems. It would be so easy if it were indeed the case. Just think; we could live out our lives as we see fit, then as we near the end of our lives in these perishable shells, resort to Luke’s advice - rise, be baptized, wash away our sins, and call His name; all of it, nice and tidy. But there are two problems with that line of thinking: one, we don’t know when our time will come and, two, we don’t know when Christ is going to return. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” - 2 Peter 3:10.
We must remember that God will determine both our time to leave these earthly husks and when He will return. We must also remember that God will draw those to Himself who will be saved. “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”- Romans 9:16. We cannot save ourselves. That is why we must call on the holy name of Jesus to save us. “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:13. And we know from Scripture that He is as good as the promise - “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” - John 6:37.
We have lived another year by the grace of God. And what of the new year? Will His beneficent providence carry us through again on angelic wings? And what about the hour of our deaths? We’re not guaranteed even today, let alone tomorrow? Perhaps it is fitting that Luke raises the stakes for us - “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’” - Luke 12:19-20.
Since we have no assurance of even a moment longer in these frail human bodies, should we not heed God’s word to us? “For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. The new year is upon us. “ . . . why do we wait?”
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