Luke 21:25–36
At this time of the year, we hear all of these last days reminders, but what’s all the fuss about? Some might say WHAT FUSS? … and rightly so, as it seems that we do all become blasé about end times and there is no fuss evident in our society these days.
But in this reading Jesus paints a fairly dramatic picture of signs of the end of the age along with the accompanying reminders and warnings. Are these meant to be scare tactics for us TODAY to jolt us into renewed spiritual fervour? Possibly, but another thought has crossed my mind. (In any case, even for people who don’t yet know Jesus, I’m not sure that this type of scare tactic is at all helpful in establishing for them, a relationship with God.)
As we hear these words centuries later, we have the benefit of interpreting them from the other side of the cross and it is especially verse 28 that stands out for me. We need not get hung up on the dramatic signs and warning, or get scared into a state of fear, worried about our salvation, because we now know that it’s a done deal! Today, we have the freedom to just get on with our life of service, secure in the knowledge that we can “stand up and lift up (our) heads, because (our) redemption is drawing near”
I get annoyed when the words of Jesus, which were spoken to sort out a situation THEN, are (in my opinion) incorrectly applied to the completely different context of NOW. We may as well still be living under the law with the OT Jews, if we are unable to relax and take comfort in the “once and for all” death and resurrection of Jesus, which has freed us up from all of that religious piety! So let’s celebrate these post-cross days!
Nev
GODISNOWHERE
ReplyDeleteKeep Left, Keep Right, Joe’s Takeaway and Grill, The golden arch, OFFICE, KEEP OUT, Watch Out for Guard Dog, Crows parking only, WRONG WAY-GO BACK…….
Our world is plagued by Signs.
We read ‘Star Signs’ for our future and discount signs for our present. On strange roads we follow signs with more concentration than a pilot on short final.
Signs give us direction and direction is craved for more than chocolate, acceptance and even nicotine.
Wet Paint, First Aid, Turn Left Any Time With Care…..KEEP QUIET. And I haven’t even mentioned the non verbal signs.... an accepting wink...a knowing smile...an understanding embrace.
Can you imagine a world with out signs? A taxi would just be a car and trying to bet at the races would be a nightmare and and and and and….I’m stuttering at the thought…
…no more speeding tickets – you can’t speed if there’s no speed limit sign!!
God knows out dependence on signs and in this week’s reading (Luke 21: 25-36) he tells us the signs that point to the end of the age.
I read a sign in a public toilet once that said,
GODISNOWHERE….how do you read that?
I guess that’s the thing with signs. We can choose to ignore them….We can misinterpret them…sometimes we simply don’t even see them and occasionally we don’t want to see them!!!
But signs have a very real and important purpose. We see the signs of God’s existence in the world around us all the time. The miracle of birth – the fragrant rose – the wonders of the Human Body….
God also tells us that there are signs letting us know we live in the ‘end times’.
We make choices as to how we interpret those signs.