By Standing firm you will gain Life Luke 21:19
Introduction
Imagine seven years ago you were on a trip to New York – perhaps doing your Christmas shopping. You have a few hours to spare so you join a sight-seeing tour. As you approach Manhattan your guide draws attention to the massive World Trade Centre, how clean it’s lines, the wonderful symmetry of its towers, how sparkling the glass. I wonder what you would have thought if a bearded man at the back of the bus said: “one year from now not a shard of glass will remain, not a single stone”.
The temple in Jerusalem was a magnificent building, some of the stones were huge, the decoration was extremely ornate and rich. Of course it was far more than a big ornate building, it was highly symbolic. It spoke of the presence of God in the midst of his people. In a similar way one could say that the World Trade centre spoke of the way in which our present society is focussed on money-making. Banks are built to look solid and impregnable but as any investor in Northern Rock will know, they are as vulnerable as the temple and the World Trade Centre.
Interestingly, given how strong the conservative Christian voice is in the States, I didn’t hear anyone say after 9/11 “I’m not surprised, Jesus told us to expect such things”. Looking at our gospel passage Jesus warns His disciples to anticipate: “Wars and revolutions….great earthquakes, famines and pestilence….fearful events and great signs from heaven. Persecution, hatred and betrayal” Luke 21:9-17 I am sure the list is not exhaustive and would certainly in our day include acts of terror and financial disasters. This is what life in a fallen world is like, we should not be surprised. Until Jesus brings in his kingdom in all its fullness we will go on experiencing such things. So how should we respond?
Watch out that you are not deceived v.8
The proliferation of cults in recent years bears testimony to how easily we are deceived. Many of these cults focus on a supposed messiah or a specific date for the second coming. It is easy to be dismissive of these – in what ways might we be being deceived? Certainly the lures of this world are deceptive – inviting us to put our trust in this or that product be it financial, medical or lifestyle. Jesus says “Watch out” – don’t be taken in.
Make up your mind not to worry v.14
The second thing Jesus tells us to do in the light of all the disasters that may beset us is to make up our minds not to worry. In other words make the head rule the heart. When was the last time you were really worried about something? How did you resolve that worry.
Stand firm v.19
Finally Jesus tells us to stand firm for by so doing we will gain life. This reminds of the passage in Ephesians 6 that we looked at last week : “Therefore put on the full armour of God so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then..” Eph. 6:13-14. This is a classic example of God’s megaphone, something said three times over, stand, stand, stand!! If we stand firm, with our feet planted firmly on the promises of God then we will surely live. The life Jesus speaks of here is eternal life – a new quality of life starting now and extending beyond the grave.
Application
Events both global, local and personal can seem overwhelming. In the light of these Jesus tells us “Watch out, worry not, waver not”.