Listen to the gospel lesson and sermon here.
Luke 21:25-36
25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth.36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
December 31, 1999. New Year’s Eve. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the holidays, but by New Years’ Eve the steam was usually waning. I don’t have very many memories of celebrating New Year’s Eve. At best I remember sitting in the living room with mom watching, napping, waiting,. And then once the ball dropped we called it a night. But in 1999, this particular News Years’ Eve was different. We did something drastically different; almost as though the world was ending…We went to a party.
Anybody remember Y2K?
Well, a member of our church hosted a party that evening. And full disclosure, I was 12 years old…so the concept of the world crashing at midnight because of technology was a bit lost on me. But I remember walking the house at the party and there being a weird tension in the air. Like an anxiety. Almost fearful.
I remember seeing a stockpile of bottled water in the corner of the basement along with batteries, canned food, and other doomsday-esk paraphernalia. I remember thinking, “Goodness, I’ve heard about Y2K, but could this really be it?”
As midnight approached our parents encouraged us to stay upstairs, playing in one of the teenagers rooms. I don’t know if they were trying to spate the generations in case we had to lead the world into a new age, or if they were trying to distract us so we couldn’t countdown the seconds to our demise.
We crept out of the room and down the split-level staircase to peak over the banister as all the adults had gathered in the basement for the final moment. Ten – nine – eight...do you remember where you where? 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1…then in a moment like a movie, where everything freezes into slow motion and the camera circles the room…the clock struck midnight. And do you remember what happened?! That’s right, nothing!
Jesus sits opposite the temple and talks about the end times, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. It seems that ever since that moment, humankind has worked overtime to predict and prepare for the end. And every time, believe it or not, human kind is wrong.
Do you remember May 21 2011? Christian radio broadcaster, Harold Camping told us the world would end on May 21, 2011. They spent millions of dollars getting the word out. Do you remember what happened? Nothing. In fact, Camping said he’d rather predict and be wrong then not believe at all and miss out. So, he said the world would certainly end by Oct. 21, 2011. Still, nothing happened and humankind survived.
There was the infamous blood moon on Oct. 7 2015. Spoiler alert, we all survived.
In fact, you may be delighted to know that according to a Google search humankind, you and I, have persevered through more that 150 failed end-of-the-world predictions.
And just so you can’t say you didn’t know…the world will end in Jesus will return on June 9 next year. That’s my birthday by the way.
Or in case that’s wrong, keep an eye out for an asteroid in 2026…or countless other predictions. And I suppose the good news is if we make it to 2026, there are no current recorded predictions until 2129.
The point is that Humankind has exhausted itself predicting and preparing for the end times. You ever get tracks on your window shield? Or the bathroom stall? Or in a case of beer? ..or so I’ve heard.
What’s alarming about all of these signs and our predictions is that not only are they wrong… not only do they negate Jesus telling us that no one knows the hour or day….but they all foster a climate of fear. They instill fear…fear of the end…fear of missing out…fear of the unknown…fear of what happens next.
The world seems to always be searching for a sign. Natural disaster, political uprising, famine, deep space discovery, Biblical numerology…society is obsessed with predicting the end times or spin current events to convince others it’s here.
Well today Jesus sits on the temple mount and teaches about the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The disciples demand a sign. And Jesus says, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.”
He goes on to say that Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” For Jesus, the signs of the final judgment will be crystal clear for those who live by the way of Christ. But until then, no one knows. No one knows. And when it happens, you’ll know….so don’t ask for the signs. Don’t fabricate signs. Don’t exaggerate what you think could be signs. Don’t stir up fear for fear’s sake.
In fact, Jesus says, "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life…so that the day does not catch you unexpectedly,35 like a trap.” Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
It seems to me that Jesus is less concerned about that signs of the end times as he is about the signs and actions of the disciples then and there…of you and me, here and now. To be not s focused on signes of the sun, moon, stars…signs of the heavens and the son of man, but focused, called, committed to the signs of the kingdom here and now.
Rather than seek out signs of the final day and be drowned in fear of the end, perhaps Jesus would have us be signs to the world. Signs that dispel fear, darkness, and endings…Signs that point to new hope, new beginnings, a new heaven and a new earth. Signs that point to the nearness of the kingdom of God now. Jesus is a sign that the kingdom of God has come near. And perhaps that is the only sign we need. The only sign needed to know that repentance begins now, a new beginning is ushered in. Be alert! Wait, sure, but wait actively.
Today we enter the Advent season. The colors have changed, the Advent wreath is up, the Chrismon tree is standing tall, and the crèche is on our front lawn. Today begins a season of waiting and anticipation…not only as we remember the Virgin Mary and the world eagerly waiting for a Messiah and Savior…but as we continue to wait today. Actively waiting for the return of Christ to reconcile the world and make all things new.
We begin Advent not with our typical story…Mary and Joseph, a manger and no room in the inn. Shepherd and wisemen. No, we begin this season with a reminder that the Advent season is one hope and anticipation…anxious and active waiting for the return of our savior – the messiah – Emmanuel.
And with Jesus as our sign we proclaim a message of hope. Of love, grace, joy, and peace. Not fear. Jesus is the first fruit, the first sign in God’s grace-filled kingdom. Jesus calls us to lives of joy and abundance, love and hope. And until the kingdom of God comes to complete fullness, we are called through baptism to be visible, tangible, and faithful signs to the world. Signs of hope.
That is why today, we light the 1st candle of the Advent wreath, also known as the hope candle. It is also sometimes called the Prophet’s candle. Until that candle is lit, the wreath stands in darkness. After lighting, the darkness is dispelled and the promise of hope is ignited.
It burns as a sign that it is only the beginning. There are more signs to come. As the prophets of old, when given the world of God upon their lips, they could not help but proclaim the good news of God.
We too have been blessed by the waters, nourished by the body and blood, called and sent into the world to dispel darkness and fear, burn with the brightness of God’s promise for everlasting life. Called to be a sign of hope, peace, joy, and love.
And friends, if God calls us as Christians to be a sign unto the world, then we better be crystal clear about our message. Go out of our way to articulate and proclaim without a doubt the goodness of God’s love. So that all the world may take notice. We live, serve, and act with clarity and humility.
So for the poor, hungry, and…the very people Jesus spent his life loving hear of a message that God’s kingdom is open to all, it’s welcoming, generous, and full of hope.
So the oppressed and discarded of society read a message that God’s kingdom is just, equal, and equitable.
So that victims to unjust systems of power and cycles of abuse and neglect see a sign that declares God’s kingdom as a home for all people.
So that the ill, lame, and unclean...those kicked down by the stench and darkness of disease or death may take sight of the kingdom of God. and know that in Jesus the burden is light and the Kingdom of God thrives to heal, restore, and make whole.
As a system of love and justice that cast the mighty down from their thrones and uplifts the humble of heart.
So that the outcast, the different, the abused, the neglected, and the bullied find a light in the kingdom of God that welcomes all and celebrates each and every individual gift and ability.
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So often the voice of opposition…those who misinterpret the promise of God. Those who abuse the prophecy of final judgment and act out of fear...they carry big posters…big signs...celebrating injustice and fostering division...those are signs of fear.
But as Christians, the signs we are called to proclaim take form not in banners, posters, and billboards...but in action. Tangible and visible witnesses...testimonies. Signs that God’s love dispels all fear and and infects the darkness with hope beyond hope.
My friends, oh my friends, what an opportunity and privilege we have to be claimed by God…to know the ending of the story…to know and believe in the promise of a new and heaven and new earth…and to be called by Jesus to worry not about the final day but to live here and now proclaiming the goodness of God’s love.
When these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Speak with authority and love. Act with humility and justice. Serve with patience and kindness. Love without fear. Hope without a doubt. Welcome all. Proclaim, cry out, share, witness, testify, and be alert. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape the fear and trembling of the world, but rather stand before the Son of Man….in the promise and hope of Jesus Christ. God’s gracious sign for the world. Amen.
© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached Dec. 02, 2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL
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