By: Obed Pineda
It is often the case that upon coming across the directive “be sober,” one instantly associates it with abstaining from the consumption of intoxicants (i.e. alcohol or drugs). Although this is certainly a proper interpretation of the instruction, it is curious how it can apply in other ways as well. For example, many times a person can become transfixed in awe of a person or thing to the point that it slowly becomes an idol. This was undeniably the case for the Jews concerning their temple throughout the ages, but most especially for the one Herod the Great had built (cf. Matthew 24:1, Mark 13:1). Indeed, historians and archeologists agree that Herod’s temple was without a doubt a magnificent structure that had the power and beauty to arrest the gaze of any pedestrian passing by it. Yet, the Jews profound pride in their temple was not solely due to its splendor but it, too, represented the presence of the Almighty amongst them as a nation (cf. Jeremiah 7:4). For them, the temple was an exquisite clarion announcing loudly to the rest of the world that they (and no one else) were God’s chosen nation. Thus, it could be argued that the children of Judah had become drunk with their proud, elitist mentality that compromised their sound judgment and mislead them to become exclusivists. Their egocentricity blinded them to see that their true purpose as God’s chosen people was to be a beacon for the rest of the world, meant to guide them back to God’s loving and saving arms. Instead, their nationalistic mindset and approach pushed the rest of society away from them resulting in utter isolation. The Jews were so smitten with their temple that they willingly forgot the deep disdain they had for Herod himself. Therefore, this realization brings forth clarity why the twelve reacted so strongly when “as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, ‘These things which you see – the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down. So they asked Him, saying, ‘Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?’” (Luke 21:5-7). It is worth noting that in Matthew’s account of this conversation, the disciples also inquired, “what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3b)? For them, Jesus’ declaration that the temple would be destroyed was understood to signal the literal end of the world. Perhaps one reason for this is because, as previously mentioned, the temple indicated Jehovah God’s presence amongst them. Ergo, the temple’s destruction would mean that He had forsaken His chosen people and thus, the rest of the world as well. Their reasoning had been compromised by the intoxicants of nationalistic pride and the audacity of arrogance that made them falsely believe that God could only be with them through that edifice. They forgot the prophet’s proclamation that “the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” which Matthew explains, “is translated, ‘God with us’” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). Tragically, as John would declare, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” because they would not accept that the humble Jesus of Nazareth was unequivocally the One that had been foretold to come and deliver His people from sin (John 1:11, cf. Matthew 1:21-23). Observe how their pride and obdurateness had befuddled their understanding of the Scriptures, causing them to stumble around as a metaphorical drunkard. This allows us to understand the precious worth of the Savior’s exhortation to His disciples, “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly” (Luke 21:34). The Lord warned His twelve not to become hypnotized with the earthly affairs because it could dangerously entangle their feet, causing them to stumble (cf. 2nd Timothy 2:3-4, 2nd Peter 2:15-22). Yes, He had revealed to them that Jerusalem (and the temple) would be brought to ruins but He also advised them to “watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). The Master was helping His disciples guard their hearts against becoming drunk with fear. He was teaching them that God (through Him, for He is indeed Immanuel) would still be among them long after the fall of Jerusalem if they remained obedient to His commandments. He was building up their faith in Him so that it would provide for them a serene acumen; a calm, clear, and sound mind (cf. Philippians 4:4-9). It is unquestionable that this lesson was in Peter’s mind when exhorted the brethren, “gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jeus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1st Peter 1:13-15). The blessing of possessing serene acumen (i.e. sound judgment) is that it provides us with great clarity from above, gifting us the skill to see what others cannot (cf. Acts 26:24-25, 2nd Corinthians 4:16-18). May we always see as Elisha once did (cf. 2nd Kings 6:15-17).