The text for our meditation on God’s Holy Word is the Gospel lesson appointed for the day. I bring you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
In 70 A.D. Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem to put down a Jewish revolt. All supplies were cut off. So horrific was the siege that one woman killed, roasted, and ate her infant child. In the ensuing massacre, 1.1 million Jews lost their lives. Another 70,000 were taken captive and paraded through the streets of Rome as the spoils of war. The temple of Jerusalem was so completely destroyed that today not one stone is left standing upon another.
There was a group of people living in Jerusalem who were spared these terrors—the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem. You see, Jesus had prophesied that Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed 40 years before it happened. The Jewish Christians believed his words, recognized the signs of what was to come—fled to a town called Pella on the Sea of Galilee—and were spared.
And so what is the connection between these ancient events of history --and Jesus’ Words to us today-- and our own lives of faith? Just this: the destruction of Jerusalem is a sign pointing to the final judgment and the destruction of all things. Like the flood in Noah’s day and the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Abraham’s day--the destruction of Jerusalem is a sign that there will be a Last Day—and the judgment of all men and the destruction of all things.
God does not want anyone to perish eternally on that day—but that people would turn from their wickedness and live. In Noah’s day and Abraham’s day and the apostles’ day he gave warnings that his judgment was coming—he provided signs that could clearly be seen so that all people would be left without excuse. The Jewish Christians believed Jesus’ words—understood the signs for what they were—and so were saved.
Jesus speaks to us today for that same purpose and to that same end—that recognizing the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple as an accomplished fact of history—knowing that Jesus promised that very thing 40 years before it happened—we too would: believe his words about the Last Day—be watchful for the signs of his return-- and be saved.
As we reflect upon God’s Word today we will learn what the signs are that point to the final judgment—we will consider what our response ought to be—and we will hear the promises that Jesus makes to us which will strengthen our faith so that we can face that day with hope and know it to be the day of our redemption. The Bible says:
While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
Please note that Jesus never answers that first question: when will these things be? In the same way, Jesus never tells us when the Last Day will be and any religious leader that says he knows the answer is a false prophet and deceiver of God’s people.
But Jesus did answer their second question: what will be the signs? He told them just exactly what would happen before Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed so that they could be prepared no matter when it happened.
Forty years later, the signs occurred and the destruction took place just exactly as Jesus had prophesied.
Josephus, a Jewish historian who was an eye witness to these events, reported: the odd things that happened in nature, how the Romans surrounded Jerusalem, and the terrible things that even mothers did to their own children. We know from Luke’s history of the early church how the Christians were persecuted and yet how this persecution—rather than destroying Christianity-- actually served to extend its witness.
All of these signs took place just exactly as Jesus had prophesied. It was with that same truthfulness that Jesus prophesied- the end of all things- and his return in glory- and the judgment of all people -and the redemption of those who were his own.
And so, we who wait for that coming day can look back in history and know with certainty what our Lord has revealed of the future. But there are other signs too—sings beyond the events of history--signs happening at this very moment.
There are signs in nature. There are signs in the family of nations. And there are signs in the church. Of signs in the church, Jesus said:
“See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them."
Over the last two thousand years of the church’s history there have been countless deceivers within the outward, visible boundaries of the Church: false teachers who teach doctrines not found in the Bible--“date-setters” who claim to know when Jesus is coming and have been proved wrong again and again--and the David Koresh types who actually claim to be the Messiah.
To these signs of the end that are found in the church, Jesus says: Watch out! Be on your guard! Do not follow them! Instead we are to listen to his words- believe what he says- and remain steadfast in the faith that is taught in the Bible for it is God’s Word and has been proved trustworthy and reliable and a firm foundation for our lives.
Regarding signs among the family of nations Jesus says that before his return there will be wars and tumults—nations will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And of course know how true this is from the pages of history and today’s newspaper and the evening news. Many folks in this congregation have lived through WWII and the Korean War and the war in Vietnam and the two Gulf wars and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Regarding signs in nature Jesus says that there will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences—the roaring of the sea and the waves. And hearing these words from our Lord we cannot help but think of the famine in Africa and the earthquake in Haiti and the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean—and these are only the most recent natural disasters over the last two thousand years of human history filled with such disasters.
Right there is the faith challenge that we have to face. It seems that all we know of the world is: war and bloodshed between nations- death and destruction from nature-- and the church torn asunder by false prophets. We are tempted to believe that this is just how the world is- this is how it has always been- and this is how it will always be.
But Jesus says that we are not to view a violent world and a broken creation and divided church as the normal course of events-- but to view these events as signs of the end—signs of a world that is heading for destruction- signs that humanity is headed for judgment.
Jesus wants us to be prepared for his second coming in glory—he wants us to be found faithful on that day---and so he directs our attention to the broken-ness of this world as an enduring sign that what we are really seeing is the effects of sin which will be changed forever on the Last Day. The Bible says that:
The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God—AND--the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption…
Rather than driving us to despair, the signs that we see all around us are intended by Jesus to point us to a hope that lies beyond the crumbling edifice of this dying world. When Jesus told the disciples that not a stone would be left standing upon another of the temple—it must have been hard to believe—but they did believe him and were saved.
Jesus wants us to believe the same—that the very foundations of this world will shaken and destroyed—but we who believe in him will endure and be saved. He promises us that not even a hair on our head will perish—that we can be hopeful even in dark times for we know that they are leading us toward our final redemption.
These promises have been secured and guaranteed by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Sin and evil does not have the last word about us—his forgiving death on the cross does. Death does not have the last word about us—his resurrection does. Victory over evil- and victory over death- are assured to all of those who trust in Jesus.
Our bodies that are laid in the grave will be raised on the Last Day and not even the smallest bit of our bodily life will be lost. The evil in the world that seems to have the upper hand will be punished when Jesus returns. And a broken creation that brings cancer and drought will be restored to the perfection that it had in the beginning.
Jesus wants us to see the signs of the end for what they are—so that we would have a vision of the future: a vision of the future that extends far beyond this world—a vision of the future that is based upon his promises—a vision of the future that shapes our lives in this broken world until the day of our redemption.
And so what does that life look like—that life that is shaped by the promise of our final redemption at the Lord’s return?
1. We are watchful and alert to the signs of the times. When we hear of some war—when a natural disaster occurs—when we encounter some falsehood being taught in the church—right then, in that moment-- we are to be reminded that our Lord is coming again and that these moral and physical evils will not endure that day.
2. We are calm and confident. Jesus says: “When you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Let the unbelieving world around us “faint with fear and foreboding” as Jesus says, we know how the story ends—we know the Author of history—we know that we will endure and gain our lives and that not even a hair on our head will perish because Jesus has promised that very thing.
3. We see hardships and difficulties as opportunities to witness to Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples that “they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends. This will be your opportunity to bear witness."
We know about the persecution of the church from the pages of history—and yet how hardship and persecution—far from being an impediment to the mission of the church—was actually the mechanism through which the Gospel spread throughout the world. The same thing is true for us.
More and more we live in a culture where Christians are held up to contempt and our values and lifestyles are the objects of ridicule and even our own families reject those things that we hold sacred. Jesus promised that this is how it will be. But rather than moan and groan, we see this is as our opportunity to bear witness to Jesus-- and the Lord will keep his promises to give us a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.
4. Finally, we are people of hope because Jesus has already told us where all of this is leading: to our final redemption. Jesus says that:
"The powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
The road to resurrection went through the cross for Jesus and it will for us too. Rather than being broken and bowed down by what is happening in the world around us—Jesus says that we are to straighten up and raise up our heads because we know that with the passing of each day the Lord’s return and our final redemption is one step closer.
The world around us is moving to judgment and destruction and we need to see the signs of that for what they are---but we who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb are moving towards a day of redemption when sin and death will no longer have any claim upon us.
Two thousand years ago the Christians of Jerusalem listened to these words of Jesus—believed what he said—were spiritually awake and aware of the signs around them-- and were saved. God grant the same to the Christians in this place. Amen.
And now may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.
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