A Great Verse to Memorize
Regularly, I challenge myself to memorize Scripture. Aside from John 11:35, perhaps the next-easiest verse in Scripture to memorize is Luke 17:32, “Remember Lot’s wife.” I can’t say that I’ve ever heard anyone quote that verse, nor have I heard of anyone claiming this as their life verse. It seems obscure. Yet the way Jesus uses this verse in Luke 17 makes it appear that this was a regular reminder in His teaching about the Kingdom.
So instead of thinking about Christmas, the season in which I am writing this, I want to think about what Jesus says about His Kingdom. Ironically, if you think about what Jesus says about His Kingdom, you will be prepared for Christmas, too!
Lot’s story is the tragedy of a man who wanted to serve God, yet not enough to actually make any firm commitments to do so. When Lot and Abram grew so prosperous that they had to separate from one another, Lot made the choice to relocate to Sodom. You think you have some strange neighbors! Although he himself did not apparently participate in the sexual immorality and debauchery of the locals, he seemed content enough to raise his family in the midst of it all.
When God determined to bring judgment upon the city, God sent angels to rescue Lot and his family. In spite of the fact that the men of Sodom had just spent the night trying to gang-rape his angelic visitors, Lot and his family were reluctant to leave. The angels had to physically lead them out of the city. They were told to flee to safety and not look back. Of course, Lot’s wife, looked back.
Why? Why would she look back? Lot’s wife loved the world so much that even though she was on the very cusp of deliverance and salvation, her attachment to the world was so strong that she longed to go back. She had found her security in Sodom. Even though she was warned of the coming judgment the world still beckoned to her.
Jesus teaches a great lesson in the simple phrase: “Remember Lot’s Wife." This world offers nothing for us and will provide nothing when God’s Kingdom comes. Nothing in this world provides salvation. Nothing in this world will deliver. Only Jesus. And that’s why we should remember Lot’s wife.