Luke 21:5–19
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” 7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. 9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.
I got an interesting mailing a couple weeks ago. The world is going to end on May 21st, 2011.
One week before my wedding anniversary.
Nice to know that the pressure’s off for buying a fitting anniversary present.
I can’t remember seeing such a specific date for the end. I guess I just wasn’t paying attention to the right things. . . maybe took the wrong biblical exegesis classes. . . maybe paid too much attention to that “. . . about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” sort of text. Or should I say texts. I can imagine that ignoring those warnings - warnings sounded forth in Matthew, Mark and Luke - might give rise to all sorts of fun.
Back to this though.
I read a text like this, and I think to myself, “we’re doing some stewardship stuff this time of year, lets leave the lectionary for a week or so.” And this is what we’re doing. Not only that, I’m leaving town, and having someone else preach on Stewardship.
It crosses my mind to suggest, that this text invites stewardship of the Gospel, and an assurance that rests solely on God.
“When you hear of these things, when these things take place, you will always be under my care. Do not worry. Not a hair of your head will perish.” It is interesting how apocalyptic texts are so dark dark dark, and yet hopeful.
I wonder if hope that is declared in the face of tragedy might ring more true than the hope that is declared - suggesting that one can skirt around all troubles.
I’m just glad I’m not preaching Sunday.
Looking back three years ago, I offered this in response to a nice opening by the Vicar of Vice:
I wonder at how we see the future.
As threat?
As opportunity?
As a chance to buy something really nice?
Does the Gospel invite us to speak of the future in terms of promise - calling us to a vision that is somehow different than how we tend to look at (as well as "look to") the future?
P B’ment then made a comment that makes me wish I had thought to say this; and so I will,
I think that our talking about the apocalyptic needs to move us to ethical living. Because not a hair on our head will perish we can live self-lessly for the neighbor.
That dog, as the saying goes, will hunt.
But he’s a little bit . . . under trained . . . and I’m just not sure I can get him into the truck, much less get out to the fields, what with all I have to do between now and then.
Did I mention that I don’t have to preach this Sunday?
I will try harder, the rest of the week, to not gloat about that fact.
Or maybe I won't.
2 comments:
apropos of nothing - looking at a site of Christian quotations, I saw some great ways to alk about forgiveness that betray one’s discomfort with the whole idea. . .
The wisdom of God has ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God.
John Piper
God gives His forgiveness in a way that will maintain respect for His laws.
Ruth Copeland
alk?
alk?
where the heck is spell check when you need it?
TALK!
a little more on those (non) forgiveness quotes. . .
I wonder if some of the talk of end times-ey stuff is a way to avoid talking about forgiveness? I wonder if a lot of the talk that goes on in the Church is an avoidance of forgiveness. . .
these quotes were in the midst of some that were worth noting.
i.e.
Forgiveness of sins is the very heart of Christianity, and yet it is a mighty dangerous thing to preach. - Martin Luther
yup
or
I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is almost like setting ourselves up as a higher tribunal than Him. C.S. Lewis
It is interesting to wonder at how we seek to avoid the call to service -
that talk of forgiveness will inspire self-righteousness - rather than gratitude, and gracious forgiveness for others
that apocalyptic might compel us - not towards a bunker mentality, not to a gnostic gratitude that we're in while millions die, but toward ethical living.
hmmmmmmmmmmm
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