Signs

Signs – Luke 21: 25 - 36

Intro: I believe we have become a nation of signs. If you travel any major highway, you will see hundreds of signs. Some of them are to point you in the right direction while some of them alert you as to what you might experience at the next exit. Maxine, the cartoon character gives a piece of advice as a sign to those who come to visit. She ways, “Always keep a few get well cards standing on a table or on the mantel in case unexpected guests arrive. They will assume you have been ill and unable to clean.” There are some signs I have seen that cause me to pause and ask myself “What were they thinking?” Examples: “Fishing for children only / limit 3” == “Bottomless pit / 65 ft. deep == sign on a balcony, “Please be aware that the balcony is not on ground level == “Caution: Blind Drivers Backing Out” == “Antique table made daily” == “Merry Christmas! We Rent Handguns!”

I When I moved to Texas, I learned that posted speed limit signs are just a suggestion. Signs are everywhere and some people read and obey them while others have a tendency to misread, misunderstand or just plan ignore them.

A Our passage for today begins with Vs. 25 – “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.”

B Here Luke records a prophecy of Jesus regarding what will take place at the “Advent” of the Son of Man when he returns.

C The word Luke uses here for signs is the GK word s?µe??? / semeion which can be translated as a miracle with an ethical end and purpose / great, strange or terrifying works / wonder / token / an indication.

II During the season of Advent, we in the Christian tradition actually celebrate 2 comings of the Messiah.

A First is the coming of God to earth in the infant Jesus. We decorate our homes inside and out. We put out the manger scene to remind us of the coming long ago of the infant Jesus and the events surrounding His birth as our gift from God.

B The 2nd coming is not emphasized nearly as much as perhaps it should be. We need to be reminded that Christ Jesus promised to return to earth at a time which we do not know.

C VSS. 25 – 27 are cosmic signs that are mentioned in Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah. They may be signs of the end! But, perhaps, they are signs of God’s new beginning.

III. VS. 28 – “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your REDEMPTION is drawing near. Luke records the words of Jesus to his followers. We are not to be gripped by fear.

A Christian discipleship is a kind of living in between. We are aware of the birth of Jesus long ago; but, we are also living and waiting for His return. We must learn to reflect not only on the first coming of Jesus but also on His return.

B The reason for this duality is that anything can happen at any moment and we should live prepared. Those who trust in God and live faithfully need not fear when the world collapses around us.

C Jesus gives us the motivation for living in that way at the end of VS. 28 “because your redemption is drawing near.” The word REDEMPTION is crucial to our understanding of this passage. The GK. word is ?p????t??s?? / apolutrosis which means “to release on payment of a ransom / a price paid / deliverance from sin/ salvation.” The word “redemption” is used ONLY here is all of Luke and Acts. This Advent text from Luke offers not fear and damnation, but hope and expectation.

Concl: Being ready . . . that’s the point of the Advent season because it is a time when we remember the reason for the season, the birth of Christ Jesus; the good news of Christ Jesus. It is also the season of invitation. We have an invitation of hope, joy, peace, and love which the first coming of Christ established and which the second coming will make complete and perfect.

VS. 36 “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.”

God calls His people to trust Him, to live carefully, to be watchful, and to pray in troubled times. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation of the coming of Christ Jesus become dulled. Pay attention, keep watch, and pray so you are prepared for the Lord when He comes.