Be Prepared
Luke 21:25-36
Be prepared, the Boy Scout motto.
When I was a scout, I took that motto seriously. It paid off several times.
The time Doug Pine smacked into a pine tree and cut his eye. (coincidence not really, his life was full of unfortunate coincidences) I was right on the spot with my first aid kit to baggage him up and rode all the way to the emergency room with him.
When the power went out, flashlights at the ready. I had and still have a survival kit with bullion cubes, wire saw, signal mirror, water proof matches…I never found an event that I was called to use any of that stuff.
I am not as good at it now, but I still am able to respond.
I have found Chain saws and generators to be handy.
I have been able to help out my neighbors from a bind or two.
Our secular calendar tells us that we have a lot of stuff to get ready for.
You know it is only a few weeks until someone is going to start asking, Are you ready for Christmas?
I sort of hate that question. I am never ready until Christmas Eve and the only gift I absolutely have to get is for Renee. So, I sort of flinch whenever someone asks the question.
I know some people are really good at getting ready. They start gift shopping when the after Christmas sales start.
They stuff their next year’s treasures into the back of closets in a regular ritual so that next November they can take inventory and finish up their preparations. They usually have gifts for everyone no matter who shows up at the party….
Because they are just so prepared.
Some have a knack for matching gifts to the people on their list. Their preparation pays off and makes everyone feel good.
I have had others in the family that had the right heart but did not try as hard. You probably had an aunt that gave everyone socks or gloves or handkerchiefs.
Like I said, the heart was in the right place, but the desire to be really prepared lacked any connection to quality. Not every 7 year old cares about handkerchiefs.
What I am saying is that preparation can vary in quality.
In a way that is what today scripture is all about, Being prepared.
Today’s scripture comes after Jesus has been challenges by the authorities in the temple that asks him by what authority he is doing things….
He explains to the disciples that the temple and all of Jerusalem will be destroyed and he describes the challenges that the believers will face as punishment comes to the earth. Wars, murder, natural disasters
Governments are prepared to defend their country and people. Police and firemen are prepared to meet emergencies as they happen.
But aren’t there some things you just can’t prepare for?
Things like our scripture describes, There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.
We can’t really do any thing about tides or storms or meteors and thing really big, we can’t really prepare...Can we?
On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Jesus is describing the events that will lead up to his return. Horrible events that it looks like we could never be ready for. Enemies that drive people into the hills and whole nations will be in anguish and paralyzed as to what to do. Individuals will faint and just be lost in their fear because things will be so bad.
The bad news parts sound familiar, the terrible storms should like events we have had in the past couple of years that killed thousands of people. I know as I have seen natural events and heard about bombings I think what is this world coming too.
Jesus goes on to describe something that will be a bit shocking to people all over the world. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
I don’t know about you but I imagine seeing a Jesus figure riding on a cloud like and an elevator. Coming down in a controlled way. My imagination is probably limited compared to what Jesus actually pictured. The idea is that every where in the world will have the same event and every one will see what ever this is…perhaps on TV or maybe in some other fantastic display of God’s power.
How ever it happens, people will know that something special is happening. The importance of the event or the person is going to be obvious to all of creation.
As Christians we are to respond.
When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
Remember, Jesus has told the disciples that things will be hard for them and he has offered no protection from the events. But he tells them that their redemption is almost there. When the signs come, ad Jesus appears they are to stand up.
The idea is that they/ We will recognize what is going on and we can celebrate the arrival of our redeemer.
We may not be able to stop a storm or persecution but we can pay attention to the weather channel and take shelter when a tornado approaches.
Being prepared means knowing the signs and knowing how to respond.
Jesus uses a parable that we know just as well as the people in Jesus day.
When we see the buds and the first leaves appearing on the trees or plants we know that summer is almost here. He explains that when we see dramatic things happening then we will know that the kingdom of God is near.
Then we get to the controversial portion of today’s scripture. What does he mean when he says, I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
It sounds pretty clear. The current generation will not die before his predictions come to pass.
It looks like he missed it. Doesn’t it? Obviously, no one is alive today that was alive when Jesus made this statement.
Let me share the thoughts on this part of the scripture. As a general rule of thumb, Luke normally uses the word generation to mean the current generation in other places in the scripture. He also has a tendency to connect the word Generation to being an evil generation.
Some believe that Luke is referring to race in this description, that the Jews will not pass away until these things come to pass.
One additional, idea is that the generation that is alive when the signs come, will not pass until the end comes.
Since Jesus makes the statement, and it seems like the events have not happened then we must not fully understand what the statement meant. Unfortunately, there is no absolute answer and it will remain a bit of a mystery for us.
But the next statement is more clear, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Creation as we know it will pass away, but the words of Jesus, the redemption and promises of Jesus will never pass away.
They will always be true even when everything we know and understand bout the earth, our current reality is long gone.
Then Jesus give a warning, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.
The Message said it like this: But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap,
Being prepared is something that you have to work at. You can’t take the season for granted.
We can’t let the busyness of getting ready for Christmas dull our anticipation and preparation for the second coming of Christ. If we let the stress of earthly life dull us into for getting the words of Christ then we will let the problems and joys of this life be enough for us. We will not be ready or willing to respond when Jesus returns to judge the generation.
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.
Being prepared means that we are always studying for the final exam. We do church, we read the Bible. We pray and we do the best we can with what we are given.
While the secular calendar calls us to hurry and rush and get ready for earthly things.
The Christian calendar reminds us to slow down and pay attention to the signs and the presence of Christ.
It tells us to respond when he comes, which means that we are paying attention and not overly burdened with either the problems, excesses or stress of this world.
That we can stand before Christ to be judged good and faithful servants.
What will you do this week to be prepared?
How will you watch and pray?
How will the assurance of Jesus help you to rise out the fearfulness of current events?
A man visiting a school told the class that he would give a prize to the student whose desk he found in the best order when he returned. "But when will you return?" some of them asked.
"I can’t tell you that," was the answer.
A little girl, who had been noted for her disorderly habits, announced that she meant to win the prize.
"You!" her schoolmates jeered; "why, your desk is always messed up."
"Oh! but I mean to clean it the first of every week." "But suppose he should come at the end of the week? someone asked.
"Then I will clean it every morning." "But he may come at the end of the day."
For a moment the little girl was silent. "I know what I’ll do," she said decidedly, "I’ll just keep it clean." --McCartney
All Glory be to God!
Holy Communion
