Luke 21:10-28 | Philippians 3:1-7 | Gospels during Lent: None, worship with the Church
Happy Sunday to you (the fourth in Lent).
These warnings from Jesus can always seem dire and worrisome, but they are particularly so for many people today. With all that’s happening in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, Jerusalem sure looks to be encroached upon.
But does it really change our posture? (Yes, some Christians today are even making suggestions to hasten the things Jesus mentions in this passage and others similar to it. Feel free to reject the notion. No where does Jesus say that his followers should entice, enact, or enable these things. This is important.)
No, our posture should remain the same: fiercely yet humbly dedicated to the one who did not fight, but stood firm in the righteousness of a God he knew would give him life again.
This, of course, does not make it all easy. And Jesus gives warning for such things that we might know that sometimes, it won’t be easy. But it still yet does not change our posture.
Now, it might be true that our posture needs to change because we’re not serious enough about following Jesus. This is a daily self-assessment (emphasis on self).
It should be noted that much of what Jesus warns about in this passage came to pass a few decades after he said them. Jerusalem was sacked in the year 70 AD. It’s possible he was speaking of just such a moment. (It’s also notable that we don’t know exactly when Luke was written, but most scholars believe it was written after 70 AD.)
Regardless, the call is the same for the Church: follow Jesus.
No. Matter. What.
Luke 21:10-28
Then Jesus said to them, “Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other. There will be great earthquakes and wide-scale food shortages and epidemics. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs in the sky. But before all this occurs, they will take you into custody and harass you because of your faith. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will provide you with an opportunity to testify. Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance. I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict. You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. Everyone will hate you because of my name. Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. By holding fast, you will gain your lives.
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that its destruction is close at hand. At that time, 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 are the days of punishment, when everything written will find its fulfillment. How terrible it will be at that time for women who are pregnant or for women who are nursing their children. There will be great agony on the earth and angry judgment on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be plundered by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are concluded.
“There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.”
Philippians 3:1-7
So then, my brothers and sisters, be glad in the Lord. It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track. Watch out for the “dogs.” Watch out for people who do evil things. Watch out for those who insist on circumcision, which is really mutilation. We are the circumcision. We are the ones who serve by God’s Spirit and who boast in Christ Jesus. We don’t put our confidence in rituals performed on the body, though I have good reason to have this kind of confidence. If anyone else has reason to put their confidence in physical advantages, I have even more:
I was circumcised on the eighth day.
I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin.
I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee.
With respect to devotion to the faith, I harassed the church.
With respect to righteousness under the Law, I’m blameless.
These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ.
Prayer
God,
You have called us to Christ, disciples following after him in all things. Thank you for the call, the privilege, and the responsibility. Help us as we seek further his way, Lead us in the specifics of our own lives, And call us to the community he’s established of mercy, grace, and love.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
“Watch out for those who insist on circumcision, which is really mutilation.”
Sometimes I think we miss the significance of stuff like this. It used to be everything. Now Paul speaks of it with disdain.