What Are You Afraid Of?

Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God. Amen

Earlier in Luke’s Gospel we read the words…

But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?– for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. (Luke 11:15-18)

Mark conveys the same story with more simple words, ones commonly heard to this day when speaking of division…

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.  (Mark 3:24-25)

With this story, actually found in the three synoptic Gospels, Jesus is defending himself against accusations of being associated with Beelzebul, the ruler, or prince, of demons. Yet it is easily, and justifiably, used to comment on division within any context.

These verses came to my mind during, and now following, our recent cycle of political elections. With all the hateful words exchanged back and forth between the contenders for office at all levels of local, state, and national government I am sometimes amazed that actual war didn’t break out within our nation. Unfortunately, even now that the elections are over, my mind isn’t any more at ease.

History teaches us that such divisions, within national politics, are signs of the beginning of the end; leading to destruction; if not by forces from within, then from lost ability to unite in resistance to forces from without. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand”.

But even though my mind is not at ease, I will not “fear” what is to come. Rather, I will find my strength in the words of Christ and move forward boldly, doing his work, as he has commanded! And what more inspiration can I find in such tumultuous times as these than his words from today’s Gospel reading?

This part of Christ’s story starts out on a light, bright note! Some of the people are admiring the beauty of the Temple; now in its 46^th year of reconstruction that started under the rule of the first King Herod. But Jesus immediately reminds them that nothing made with human hands is permanent; not even the Temple of God.

Now, being jolted from thoughts about the greatness of the Temple to the disturbing reality that it is only temporary, they’re in shock, perhaps even panicked! And they want to know when this end will come; “what will be the signs”! Fear takes over their thoughts!

Jesus continues to speak. He reminds them of all the terrible things that could, or would, happen between now and then:

“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven”.

Scary enough, we might think, but then he gets to the really tough stuff…

“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name… … You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name”.

Just – try – to – imagine the chill running down the spines of his followers when they heard those words; especially with the repeated use of the personal pronoun “you”. “you will be persecuted… you will be betrayed… you will be hated… you will be put to death”!

They asked for the signs that would foretell the coming of the end. They got a lot more than they asked for. Yet, in these words, they didn’t get what they needed. That is found in the middle of all the fearful thoughts as Jesus tells his followers…

This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

…and at the end when he says “But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls”.                 By your endurance you will gain your souls”.

Jesus continues His sermon all the way through this chapter ending with these words…

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 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.”

Jesus plainly tells us that terrible things will happen in the world around us. But he also tells us to not be terrified! He tells us that terrible things will happen to us for believing in him. But assures us that if we endure we will save – our – souls!

Yes, my mind is troubled in this time of divisive transition in our national politics. But I will not be afraid, not for myself at least. As for me I will take this “opportunity to testify” in the name of Christ. In the face of persecution I will testify to justice; in the face of betrayal I will testify to unity; in the face of hatred I will testify to love, and in the face of death I will testify to life eternal! And any fear that I may find in me will be for those I testify on behalf of: the oppressed, the hated, the despised, and those threatened with death.

And – I – will – pray. I will pray for all these and I will pray for our leaders; asking that they too seek God’s guidance in governing, that they seek the peace Christ teaches, and that they seek unity through fostering the safety, welfare and happiness of all people, not just those who look and believe as they do. Including, but not limited to, people of different color, people of different nationality, people of different sexual orientation, women, the poor, the disabled, the disenfranchised, the sick of mind, body or spirit, and – even people of different religions! Yes, them too; for it is only when we all have peace and prosperity that we will all live in unity. And it is only when we all live in unity that our kingdom, will reflect God’s Kingdom!

False saviors will come; and wars and insurrections; nations will rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms; earthquakes, and famines and plagues; dreadful signs from heaven will come. When all this has passed, I pray, I,   and you, will stand before the Son of Man. Today, in that thought, I find my comfort, my peace, and my resolve to stand strong amid the fearful turmoil.

Amen.

Isaiah 65:17-25
65:17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
65:19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress.
65:20 No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.
65:21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
65:22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
65:23 They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD– and their descendants as well.
65:24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.
65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent–its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
3:6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.
3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,
3:8 and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you.
3:9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.
3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.
3:11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work.
3:12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
3:13 Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Luke 21:5-19
21:5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
21:6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
21:7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”
21:8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
21:9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
21:10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
21:11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
21:12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
21:13 This will give you an opportunity to testify.
21:14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance;
21:15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
21:17 You will be hated by all because of my name.
21:18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
21:19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.