Dangerous distractions

Read > Luke 11:29-32

Now someone greater than Jonah is here – but you refuse to repent (v. 32).

Why is it that we often get distracted from the important tasks in life? Putting the bins out, paying the bills, having that tough conversation with a friend, reading the Bible and praying. If you’re anything like me, it’s those important tasks that somehow become the hardest ones to do. It’s all too easy to get preoccupied with lesser things and miss what truly matters.

Jesus had to deal with some distracted disciples. He had just performed an amazing miracle (Luke 11:14-28), but now He said, “This evil generation keeps asking me to show them a miraculous sign. But the only sign I will give them is the sign of Jonah” (v. 29). How can desiring miracles be a bad thing? After all, Jesus used them to teach us about the kingdom of God. Well, just as playing computer games might distract me from doing the dishes, looking for miracles was a distraction for the crowd whose hardened hearts kept them from seeing what was truly important.

You can read about the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites in 1 Kings 10 and Jonah respectively. What did this queen and group of people have in common? They responded positively to the Word of God. The crowds around Jesus were in danger of not following His words (Luke 11:29). And because of that, they risked not turning back to Him (vv. 31-32).

It’s always painful to be told you’re wrong. It’s even worse to admit to it. But it’s out of kindness that God tells us to turn back to Him and to stop living for ourselves. Its little wonder Jesus’ words in these verses are so impassioned. Distractions from listening to God’s Word come in all shapes and sizes. It’s possible to be distracted by work, leisure time, and family. It’s even possible to be distracted by church. But the lesson of the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites is there for all of us. Listen to the words of Jesus. – Jon Lindsay

More >

·         1 Kings 10:1-9

·         Jonah 3:1-10

·         Romans 10:11-15

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What is distracting you from listening to the Word of God? What would happen if you lived out Jesus’ words?