Loving God of all life, bless and protect the life and needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Luke 21: 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.."
What do you think would alarm people more? To see a man with a sign that says, "The End is Near"? Or with a sign that says, "Change is Coming"? Hmm. People would tend to laugh at both and maybe think, "We've seen the first sign before and I don't know how seriously to take that!" And, they might prefer the End to Change. Jesus hits the disciples with the news that both are coming. Life will not be the same, and even those symbols of who we are and Whose we are, are going to change. The Temple was the ultimate emblem of a strong and powerful nation. The remnant of The Temple was not what it had been when first built, but it still spoke to the hearts of the Jewish people. Naturally, the disciples want to know when this will be. Jesus answers with an answer that speaks of ultimate change that is coming, but with the simple message that those who remain faithful to God will not be harmed in any way and by staying in the faith will "gain (their) souls."
The things that happen in the world make us sometimes think that all is not what it could be, but never should it make us lose heart or faith. The fear of how the economy is going, the loss of retirement funds, etc., all serve no real purpose of fear. What they should serve is a reminder that all of these earthly things and possessions will one day pass away, and what really matters, our soul, will continue to live on, if we stay in relationship with Christ.
PRAYER: Loving God, at times we do fear for what will be next. Calm my heart to be steady and faithful in You. Let me know that what truly and eternally matters, is staying in love with You. So be it; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
