Luke 17:32

In this concise yet profound warning, Jesus Christ admonishes His disciples to "Remember Lot's wife." This powerful command serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of spiritual hesitation and attachment to the world, particularly in light of His impending return and final judgment.

Context

This verse is embedded within Jesus' discourse on the coming of the Son of Man, His Second Coming. He draws parallels between His return and the sudden, decisive judgments in the days of Noah and Lot. Just as people in Noah's time were engrossed in daily life until the flood came, and those in Lot's time were consumed by the activities of Sodom until fire and brimstone fell, so too will be the day of the Son of Man. The reference to Lot's wife immediately follows warnings about the suddenness of the event and the call to not turn back for possessions (Luke 17:31).

Key Themes

• Warning Against Disobedience: Lot's wife defied God's direct command not to look back as they fled Sodom (Genesis 19:26). Her disobedience resulted in her transformation into a pillar of salt, a permanent memorial of the consequences of an uncommitted heart.
• The Danger of Worldly Attachment: Her backward glance symbolized a lingering affection for the sinful life and material possessions of Sodom, indicating a divided heart. Jesus warns against allowing worldly comforts or past attachments to hinder one's commitment to following Him fully, echoing sentiments found in 1 John 2:15 concerning the love of the world.
• Urgency and Readiness: The command emphasizes the need for immediate and unwavering obedience when God calls. There is no time for hesitation or second thoughts when faced with divine judgment or the call to salvation.
• Consequences of Hesitation and Unbelief: Her action wasn't just curiosity; it reflected a lack of full faith in God's warning and a desire to cling to what was being left behind. This serves as a caution against wavering faith or a half-hearted commitment to Christ.

Linguistic Nuance

The Greek phrase is simply "Μνημονεύετε τῆς γυναικὸς Λώτ" (Mnēmoneuete tēs gynaikos Lōt), meaning "Remember the wife of Lot." The power is not in a complex word, but in the directness of the imperative "Remember" (Mnēmoneuete), which implies a solemn admonition to take heed and learn from a past example, rather than just recall a fact.

Practical Application

For believers today, "Remember Lot's wife" is a timeless call to:

• Full Commitment: Ensure our hearts are fully committed to Christ and His kingdom, not divided by attachments to the world or past sinful ways. As Jesus also taught, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
• Heed God's Warnings: Take seriously all of God's warnings regarding sin, judgment, and the urgency of living righteously.
• Live in Readiness: Be prepared for Christ's return, living each day with an eternal perspective and a heart free from the pull of temporary earthly treasures.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that salvation requires not just an initial step of faith, but a continuous forward movement, leaving behind all that hinders our pursuit of God's will.