Remember Lot’s Wife!

Luke 17:20-37

Key Verse 17:32

1. Think about the Pharisees’ question in verse 20 and Jesus’ reply in verse 21. What does Jesus’ reply tell us about the Pharisees? If the kingdom of God does not come with one’s careful observation, how does it come (within a man)? (Matthew 12:28; Acts 2:38)

20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." 

*The Pharisees were not spiritual guys, rather they were looking for a physical kingdom.  Maybe they thought about a kingdom that was full of gold and would allow them to live in luxury and human honor.  

Matthew 12:28

28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

Acts 2:38, 

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

*The Kingdom of God is spiritual and invisible.  It comes when a person repents of their sins and allows God to be the king of their heart and life.

2. Read verse 22. What does this passage indicate about the relationship between Jesus and his disciples during the period of time in which the disciples would be physically separated from Jesus? 

22Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

*The disciples would not see Jesus after his death on the cross and burial.  Also, Jesus was going back to his Father, and then they would not see him any longer, until they met him in the kingdom.  During this time Jesus wanted to enjoy a personal relationship with them through the Holy Spirit and their faith.  They would no longer see Jesus, but through faith they could have a relationship with God.

3. Consider Jesus’ warning in verse 23. Why would people go “running off after them?” What similar examples do we find in our generation? 

23Men will tell you, 'There he is!' or 'Here he is!' Do not go running off after them.

*Because they are in desperate need of the help of a Savior.  When people do not know the true Savior Jesus, then they will settle for anyone or anything in his place.  People need to meet the real Jesus who died for them and rose again.  

*Today we see lots of people running after all kinds of false Christs and gods to try and soothe their inner desires and fears.    

4. What does verse 24 tell us about the way to tell the difference between the true image of Jesus [Messiah to come] and the images which many false teachers might attempt to present?

24For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 

5. Compare Jesus depicted in verse 25 and the image of Jesus described in verse 24. How are they different? Why is there a difference?  

25But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 

6. Verses 26-37 include expressions like “Just as it was…so also it will be”, “It was the same…” or “It will be just like this…” In what respect will it be “just like this” on the day the Son of Man is revealed? 

26"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 

28"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 

30"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32Remember Lot's wife! 33Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." 36 

37"Where, Lord?" they asked.

He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." 

7. It has been said, “History repeats itself.” Yet what do the following statements teach us about the way to avoid becoming a statistic like people destroyed in the days of Noah or Lot? 1) “Noah entered the ark”; 2) “Lot left Sodom”; 3) “[On that day] no one should go down … to get them”; 4) “[N]o one … should go back for anything; 5) “Remember Lot’s wife”; 6) “Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it”; and 7) “Where there is a dead body there the vultures will gather.” 

---