Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Some of Jesus’ disciples remarked about the beauty of the temple. They pointed out all the lovely adornments and how it was built with excellence from the gifts given to God. Jesus said, “The day will come that everything you admire here will be utterly destroyed. It will all become a heap of rubble!” Luke 21: 5-6 The Passion Translation

One can only imagine the look of shock and bewilderment on the disciple’s faces that morning when Jesus spoke these words captured in Luke 21. Already a little confused over the lesson on giving, they now get thrown another blow. “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”

There are volumes of books on the various end time theologies and interpretations. However, we often overlook the hope that Jesus shared in these verses. I have a sense that every generation since Jesus spoke these words could have applied this question to their situation. I could almost agree that these last few months could be written for us as we stand on our current stage in history. Daily on the evening news, we have seen things we hold dear being destroyed, wars and rumors of wars, epidemics, pandemics, plagues and the like.

C.S. Lewis wrote in “God in the Dock” that “The world might stop in ten minutes; meanwhile, we are to go on doing our duty. The great thing is to be found at one’s post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though our world might last a hundred years.”

“We have, of course, the assurance of the New Testament regarding events to come. I find it difficult to keep from laughing when I find people worrying about future destruction of some kind or other. Didn’t they know they were going to die anyway?”

Jesus’ Disciples, just like us, wanted a date in time. It would be so much easier to have a date to put into our planning calendar when the world comes to an end. However, Jesus didn’t give them a date. He simply gave them Himself. When the impostors come, and they will, Jesus said don’t look to them. Jesus reminded them that “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified.” Jesus encouraged them when arrested that “this will give you an opportunity to testify.” He told them “simply speak with the words of wisdom that I will give you that moment, and none of your persecutors will be able to withstand the grace and wisdom that comes from your mouths.”

Maybe this verse was in the mind of NBA Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac when he chose not to kneel at the start of the game. During the after-game interview he responded, “We all sin and the answers to all of the world’s problems, not only racism, is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (The Associated Press)

How do we respond to our “Luke 21” times? Jesus reminds us “Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Remain passionate and free from anxiety and the worries of this life. Then you will not be caught off guard by what happens. Don’t let me come and find you drunk or careless in living like everyone else.” (The Passion Translation)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writing from his jail cell at Tegel Prison, wrote that “Blessing means laying one’s hand on something and saying: Despite everything, you belong to God. This is what we do with the world that inflicts such suffering on us. We do not abandon it; we do not repudiate, despise, or condemn it. Instead we call it back to God, we give it hope, we lay our hand on it and say: may God’s blessing come upon you, may God renew you; be blessed, world created by God, you who belong to your Creator and Redeemer.”

Bonhoeffer’s words still ring true for us today as we struggle in our pandemic, violence and persecuted days while praying for our world to see the love and hope found only in Jesus Christ. Calling them back to God. “The righteous respond to their suffering…by blessing. This was God’s response to the world that crucified Jesus Christ—blessing. Without blessing, there is no hope. “ (Donald McKim)

Today may you “Keep a constant watch over your soul, and pray for the courage and grace to prevail over these things that are destined to occur and that you will stand before the presence of the Son of Man with a clear conscience.”

God is great,

Pastor Lynn Burton