Stay Alert!
(Luke 21: 20-36)
When I was a police officer there was an observational tool that we had to learn called situational awareness that would soon, if you were good at it, develop into an invaluable habit that helped you spot irregularities and things that might become problematic. Apparently, I was, and am, quite proficient at it as it really annoys Teresa. She thinks it’s rude when I’m scanning the room while someone is trying to talk to me. It’s not that I am not interested in what you’re saying, I just need to be aware of what is going on in the room, even now as a pastor. So, like an effective police officer, or a pastor, you have to be aware of everything that is going on around you, so you aren’t taken by surprise when something unexpected happens. You have to be aware of the signs that indicate something is about to happen and how you are going to react. You have to stay alert at all times, even when you aren’t on duty or doing pastor stuff.
And that’s what Jesus is talking about in our scripture reading for this morning. He is coming back when you least expect it, but there will be signs to read if you are alert and paying attention. Our reading for this morning ties into what we learned last week in the first chapter of Revelation, that Jesus will return as he promised, and that’s a good thing. But in the 21st chapter of Luke’s Gospel Jesus lays out for his listeners, and us, some of what is going to occur just prior to his return. He talks about how, one day, the temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed which caused the people to ask him when these things would happen. He wouldn’t give them a specific date or time but he told them to watch out for false teachers who claim to come in his name who will deceive them. He tells them not to be alarmed by wars and rebellions, that these things must happen first, but that the end won’t happen immediately. He talks of nations and kingdoms fighting against each other, that there will be great earthquakes, wide-scale food shortages, and epidemics. And there will be great persecutions of those who believe in him which will provide opportunities to testify and witness about him and that we will be given the words to say when the time comes. He says that people will betray us and hate us because of our belief in Him. And in spite of all this he says: Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. By holding fast, you will gain your lives.
He tells us that when we see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, we will know that its destruction is close at hand. He says that those in Judea must flee to the mountains, those in the city must escape, and those in the countryside must not enter the city. These, he says, are the days of punishment, when everything written will find its fulfillment. He tells us that there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. He says: The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. I don’t know about you, but that’s some pretty scary stuff and if you’ve been paying attention to what’s been going on around the world you might be wondering if this is the beginning of the end. I don’t know and don’t believe any of the modern-day false prophets who claim to know either. During our lifetimes we’ve had more than our fair share of world wars with nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear holocaust, famines, purges, political upheavals, and terrifying natural disasters, and we’re still here because we haven’t seen the signs yet. Between the escalating war in the Middle East, political instabilities, worldwide famines and the incredibly violent weather we’ve experienced recently it does give you good cause to wonder. But then Jesus tells them that when they see these things happening, they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor, and he says: Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise you heads, because your redemption is near. Words of assurance in troubling times.
He then tells them a parable and says: Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. I can identify with that as I remember growing up on the outskirts of Syracuse, New York and enduring brutal winters with up to 110 inches of lake-effect snow dumped on us and experiencing those false Springs when the sun would come out and the snow would begin to rapidly melt and then, wham, another blizzard. It just wasn’t time for the trees to bud and the sap to run. Jesus reassures his followers that: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away. He then closes out his admonishment by telling us to take care that our hearts aren’t dulled by a harmful and destructive lifestyle and not to be consumed by the anxieties of day-to-day life. He says: Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One.
In spite of the fact that Jesus tells us that not a hair of our heads will be harmed when the time comes, it still sounds pretty terrifying, like some scary science fiction movie with all kinds of shocking and gruesome special effects designed to shake you to your core, drop your popcorn and spill your coke. I’d just as soon not witness such things. I’m more of a Hallmark movie guy. But we have to remember what Jesus told the disciples in the Book of Acts, that they would become his disciples who would go to the ends of the earth working in his name to transform the world from bad to good. Jesus is more worried about God’s broken creation and the brokenness of relationships than he is about timelines and detailed predictions. We still have work to do and he’s willing to give us all the time we need to bring his light and love into a dark and foreboding world. Jesus is saying that the domination of God’s people by his enemies will continue until God decides to end it. Now this may be contrary to the way many evangelicals think, who are excited about the escalation of the war in the Middle East and what they can do to escalate the tensions and thereby bring on the end of times. What they are missing is that Jesus doesn’t say that wars and false prophets are signs that the time has come for his return. Instead of working to bring the world to an end, they should be working harder to bring more people to Christ while there is still time. I guess they figure that they and theirs are already saved so the rest of us are on our own. To wish for a quicker end to the world as we know it is just plain selfish. I would rather like to think that God sees the hope happening here at Community United Methodist Church and other likeminded churches and that He wants to give us as much time as needed to complete our transformative work on his behalf.
Jesus told the disciples to keep a constant watch for his return. And, although nearly two thousand years have passed since he spoke these words, their truth remains: Christ is coming again, and we need to watch and be spiritually fit. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given us and not let our minds and spirit be dulled by careless living or foolishly pursuing unproductive pleasures. We must not let life’s anxieties overburden and overwhelm us so that we will be ready to move at God’s command.
There is little doubt that the picture of the coming persecutions and natural disasters is gloomy, but ultimately it is a cause not for worry, but for great joy. When believers see these events happening, they will know that the return of their Messiah is near, that they have done all that they could have done and can now look forward to his reign of justice and peace. So, rather than being terrified by what is happening in our world, we should remain focused as we confidently await Christ’s return when he will bring justice and restoration to his people. We must stay alert!
Let us pray.
Yes Lord, when the storms of life are raging, stand by us. When the world is tossing us, like a ship upon the sea, stand by us. Gracious and loving Father, we know that we live in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people and just getting by from day to day can be challenging. Sometimes we feel as if we can’t get ahead so why even try. And then we are reminded of Jesus’ promise to return for us one day and we have hope in a world filled with hopelessness. We praise you for the gift of your Spirit who is constantly with us to guide and advise us in how we should go and how we should do your work and your will until that day of Jesus’ return. We pray that until that day comes that we will work to bring as many lost souls to you as we can. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Stay Alert!
Christ is coming again and we need to watch and be spiritually fit.