Dearest e-votees-
We are beginning the church year anew this year with the first Sunday of Advent. Our text calls us to wait and hope watchfully for Jesus' words to find fulfillment.
Maybe some of us could offer an "Amen!" to the slightly reworked lyrics of U2 "But I still haven't found what I'm waiting for." How long, Lord? How long?
Peace,
Karl
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[Jesus is speaking:] 24 “But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Mark 13:24-37, NRSV
Jesus is teaching his disciples and telling them to wait expectantly. He encourages them to be steadfast and stable waiting for his words to be fulfilled which will never pass away unlike heaven and earth which are, albeit slowly, lapsing away.
It is hard to read/hear the words of Jesus and not expect something big to happen imminently. Surely the early church didn't expect us to be plugging away at things some two millennia later. No master goes on a journey and leaves the servants in charge for some 30 lifespans stacked end to end (or some 80 or so generations) expecting everyone to keep alert and watchful. Jesus told us to keep watching and waiting but the delayed gratification can be disheartening, can't it?
What Jesus says is that no one except the Father knows the day nor the hour of the final coming. We don't know, we can't know and we shouldn't know. This is God's wisdom which is so far beyond ours. But we clearly can't keep chugging Red Bulls and pinching ourselves to stay awake so we don't miss the event. We know well enough that if we are driving drowsy we should pull over for a power nap rather than cause something calamitous to happen. How much more should we, when tired, rest in Jesus? The point isn't that we should literally deprive ourselves of rest (Sabbath for instance) or sleep. Our bodies cannot bear such things. The point is that as a people we should live ready for our Lord and master to return.
This Sunday we begin our liturgical practice of remembering and preparing for Jesus' return (both in the manger and at the end of all times). It is not so much about us doing what is right or forcing ourselves to be ready but rather us resting in the words and promises of Jesus that never pass away. May we all be blessed as we gather and wait, worship and sing, pray and trust.
God, help us wait and trust in ways that please and delight you. Let us always invite and welcome others into your words and promises that never fade away. Amen.
We are beginning the church year anew this year with the first Sunday of Advent. Our text calls us to wait and hope watchfully for Jesus' words to find fulfillment.
Maybe some of us could offer an "Amen!" to the slightly reworked lyrics of U2 "But I still haven't found what I'm waiting for." How long, Lord? How long?
Peace,
Karl
------------
[Jesus is speaking:] 24 “But in those days, after that suffering,
25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Jesus is teaching his disciples and telling them to wait expectantly. He encourages them to be steadfast and stable waiting for his words to be fulfilled which will never pass away unlike heaven and earth which are, albeit slowly, lapsing away.
It is hard to read/hear the words of Jesus and not expect something big to happen imminently. Surely the early church didn't expect us to be plugging away at things some two millennia later. No master goes on a journey and leaves the servants in charge for some 30 lifespans stacked end to end (or some 80 or so generations) expecting everyone to keep alert and watchful. Jesus told us to keep watching and waiting but the delayed gratification can be disheartening, can't it?
What Jesus says is that no one except the Father knows the day nor the hour of the final coming. We don't know, we can't know and we shouldn't know. This is God's wisdom which is so far beyond ours. But we clearly can't keep chugging Red Bulls and pinching ourselves to stay awake so we don't miss the event. We know well enough that if we are driving drowsy we should pull over for a power nap rather than cause something calamitous to happen. How much more should we, when tired, rest in Jesus? The point isn't that we should literally deprive ourselves of rest (Sabbath for instance) or sleep. Our bodies cannot bear such things. The point is that as a people we should live ready for our Lord and master to return.
This Sunday we begin our liturgical practice of remembering and preparing for Jesus' return (both in the manger and at the end of all times). It is not so much about us doing what is right or forcing ourselves to be ready but rather us resting in the words and promises of Jesus that never pass away. May we all be blessed as we gather and wait, worship and sing, pray and trust.
God, help us wait and trust in ways that please and delight you. Let us always invite and welcome others into your words and promises that never fade away. Amen.
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