The Time For Action Is Now!

The Time for Action is Now!

Luke 12:54-59

Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz

Luke 12:54 And He was also saying to the crowds, “Whenever you see a cloud

rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it turns out. 55

“And whenever you feel a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it

turns out that way. 56 “You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of

the earth and the sky, but how is it that you do not know how to analyze this present

time?

Luke 12:57 “And why do you not even judge by yourselves what is right? 58 “For

when you are going with your accuser to appear before the magistrate, on the way,

make an effort to settle with him, so that he does not drag you before the judge, and

the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 “I

tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid up the very last lepton.”

At the end of Luke 12, Jesus presents an important lesson. He points out that people

of His day could predict the weather, yet they failed to understand the spiritual reality

unfolding before them. He then urges them to settle disputes before reaching a judge—

a call to reconciliation and discernment. What is Jesus really teaching here?

The kingdom of God was established for all people, not just for Israel. When God gave

the Torah, only the Hebrews accepted it and committed to live by it. They received it

through Moses at Mount Sinai and, despite cultural challenges, have sought to follow it

through the centuries.

However, Jesus emphasized that the kingdom was never meant to be exclusive. The

Hebrew Scriptures reveal that Israel’s calling was to model God’s law and share it with

the nations. By doing so, God’s reign would spread across the earth. The kingdom of

God is for all people, not just a select group. Israel was chosen to model God’s law and

share it with the nations, but Jesus came to fulfill the Torah and the prophets, opening

the door for everyone. His mission was—and still is—to unite humanity under God’s

reign.

Jesus came to fulfill the Torah and the prophets. If humanity lived by His words and

example, the kingdom of God would flourish on earth. Sin would be defeated, and

peace and love would prevail—a vision of unity and harmony under God’s rule.

Imagine a world without sin, where resources are shared, and divisions disappear. It

sounds utopian, even radical, compared to today’s reality. Human nature resists such

ideals, yet Jesus’ teaching calls us to strive toward them. It sounds radical, but that’s the

vision of God’s kingdom. Jesus calls us to live in a way that reflects this reality now—

through love, justice, and inclusion.

As a biology major in college, I studied these concepts closely. I believe Darwin’s theory

primarily addresses evolution within species. I do not believe humans evolved from

apes; rather, I believe God created us, as stated in Genesis 1:27. Darwin’s principle of

“survival of the fittest” explains how certain traits helped humans adapt to different

environments. For example, when humans migrated from Africa to Europe, those who

survived developed lighter skin, which offered advantages in snowy regions. In Africa,

darker skin evolved to protect against intense sunlight and harmful UV rays. Across the

world, these adaptations were necessary for survival, yet we remain one human family

regardless of physical differences. We are all equal!

Even today, inequality and selfishness persist. Leaders and influencers often speak

against greed but fail to model generosity themselves. True change begins when

individuals embrace God’s call to love and share, rather than waiting for systems to

change.

Jesus challenged His audience to act—to spread God’s kingdom beyond cultural

boundaries. In His time, Gentiles were considered unworthy, but God’s plan included

all people. We share a common origin, whether you accept the biblical account of Adam

and Eve or the scientific understanding of early humanity. Differences in culture and

appearance arose from migration and adaptation, but we remain one human family.

God’s kingdom is for everyone. Despite persecution and religious divisions, the core

message remains: we are called to live by God’s ways and invite others into His

kingdom. This mission is still urgent. It’s time to move beyond complacency and

actively show the world why belonging to God’s kingdom matters.

Let me ask you some questions for you to ponder. How often do you focus on earthly

concerns while missing what God is doing spiritually? In what ways can you help spread

God’s kingdom in my community? What practical steps can I take this week to live out

Jesus’ example of love and reconciliation?