There is a time for every decision: miss it and the opportunity has gone. Jesus was telling the religious leaders that they could not tell the signs of the (spiritual) times (Luke 12:54-56). Although they were good at forecasting the weather, they could not recognise the Light of the World even when He was standing in front of them! Then Jesus changed the metaphor: the little story focuses on two men - one has done wrong against the other. Jesus said, if the criminal had any sense, he would try to find a way to ask for mercy and forgiveness before he got to the magistrate and entered the judicial system. If he missed that opportunity, his punishment would be certain and severe.
The message of the story might be obvious to us, but it made no sense to the religious leaders. Jesus was offering mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation; but they did not think they needed any of it. If they had, they would then have needed to seize the moment to be released from the sin which traps humanity and be set free (John 8:36). They not only refused but voted to kill the only eternal life-giver. Wonderfully, Jesus did not stay dead but was raised to life so that there remains an opportunity to be saved for all those who will repent and believe in Him (Acts 17:30).
At work, in our communities and even at home, many people are missing their opportunity to respond to the gospel. For many, they have never heard (Romans 10:14): perhaps the believers are too timid, or they have been too afraid to explain the gospel. For some, clear gospel words have fallen on deaf or wilfully unresponsive ears (Luke 8:13-14). But without recognising the gospel opportunity, these people are well on their way to missing their final opportunity to be saved.
The Apostle Paul puts his concern like this: "Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience." (2 Corinthians 5:11). What has happened to that apostolic urgency? Are we, in God's church, doing our job properly, or retreating to the comfort of Christian fellowship? If we know the good news, and do not share it, we are accountable for our negligence (Ezekiel 33:1-6). We must let others know: their response is up to them, but if they refuse to be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ there is no other salvation for them (Acts 4:12).
