Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost

 

 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

- Luke 19:1–10 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again."  This was the third time Jesus prophesied to them regarding what would happen in Jerusalem.  But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.  Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.  And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant.  So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him.  And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.  And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

 

  Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  As was discussed in yesterday's reading and commentary, Jericho was notorious as a place of iniquity.  My study Bible notes that it is commonly associated with sinful living (see Luke 10:30, the parable of the Good Samaritan).

 

Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  See Luke 18:24-27.   My study Bible comments that this encounter between Christ and Zaccchaeus demonstrates that grace can accomplish that which is impossible to human beings.  

 

 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  My study Bible notes that many spiritual interpretations of this passage express the universal significance of this encounter.  In Theophylact's commentary, we read of the crowd symbolizing sins:  "Crowded in by a multitude of passions and worldly affairs, he is not able to see Jesus."  But St. Ambrose offers several parallels as follows.  First, Zacchaeus is short, indicating that he is short on faith and virtue.  Second, that Zacchaeus has to go up a tree shows that no one who is attached to earthly matters can see Jesus.  Finally, as the Lord intends to pass that way, it shows that Christ will approach anyone who is willing to repent and to believe. 

 

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."  So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."  Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."   My study Bible points out that Zacchaeus uses the term give for his free and generous offering to the poor, and restore for what he owes to those whom he had cheated -- as this was not a gift but was required by the Law (Exodus 22:1).  In doing both, he not only fulfills the Law, but he shows his love of the gospel.   

 

  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."  My study Bible comments that the title son of Abraham is an indication that Zacchaeus had become like this patriarch of Israel:  he was counted righteous by his faith, he became generous toward the poor, and he was united to the people of God.  My study Bible further adds that this Zacchaeus went on to be a bishop of the Church. 

 

 The story of Zacchaeus not only tells us about redemption as we normally think about it, and repentance that is its hallmark, but it is illustrative of the ways in which salvation works.  Most powerfully, it teaches us not simply about being saved, but being absolutely transfigured.  Zacchaeus does not merely become a believer in Christ.  He becomes an early bishop of the Church.  This is something extraordinary for one who was not simply a hated tax collector, but a rich (and hated) chief tax collector.  In Christ's time, these were Jews who worked for the Roman authorities, using state power not simply to collect taxes from fellow Jews but notorious for extorting extra income for themselves.  So to go from a despised and rich chief tax collector in Jericho (a place notorious for sin) to a bishop in the early Church is quite a transformation indeed.  In fact, we'd be closer to the truth to call it transfiguration, for this is the image of redemption in our faith.  He didn't just turn around and change the direction of his life, but he was entirely transformed, transfigured from his place of ill-reputed authority, to one that was most distinguished.  When Jesus pronounces him a son of Abraham, then it seems that we are to understand this as a transfiguration to one in the lineage of patriarchs, serving the people of God as shepherd in the new covenant.  In the process of redemption, we can turn to conventional stories of changing one's mind, getting onto a new path, finding a way to a decent life -- or we can recall our minds to the true image of what is meant by the Greek word theosis, or deification.  We turn to the Transfiguration to tell us of the revelation of the Kingdom and God's work in our midst, to show us what is truly real.  It was St. Athanasius and others who made the bedrock statement of theology in our faith:  "God became man, so that man might become [like] God."  When Jesus speaks of what is impossible with human beings becoming possible with God, he speaks quite literally of the power of the energies of God at work in human beings.  On human terms, we might think of redemption as imaging a person on the wrong side of the street deciding to turn around and do good.  But in our faith, the world is to be transfigured, all of creation saved, and Zacchaeus turning from a rich chief tax collector to become a bishop of the early Church is an image of the true fullness of redemption, of transfiguration as we should see it.  Our expectations and desires are simply not adequate to predict what kind of transformation is possible with God, what transfiguration might truly be in our lives.  Even the apostles, as they walk toward Jerusalem, cannot consider what is before them nor what lies beyond the Cross.  For God's reality reveals what we can't understand or expect, even the power of God's kingdom at work in us, a redemption that doesn't just turn around, but transfigures.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations

 

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

 

- Luke 21:20–28 

 

On Saturday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, Jesus said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls."

 

  "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  While we've been reading Jesus' discourse on the whole of what is called "end times," indicating that it's meant to reference the whole of the Christian era to the present day, here Christ once again becomes very specific regarding what is to come in Jerusalem.  My study Bible comments that the phrase when you see is a clear indication that many of those disciples listening to Him speak at that moment would still be alive at the time of the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem.  The Siege of Jerusalem took place in 70 AD, at which time the temple was destroyed, and in accordance with Christ's prophecy, "not one stone" was "left upon another" that was not "thrown down" (see Saturday's reading, above).  Only one retaining wall remained standing, known in modern times as the Wailing Wall or the Western Wall.  Jesus speaks directly of His concern for those those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  In Luke 23:29, Jesus will warn again, as He is on His way to the Crucifixion, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!'"

 

 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  Here Christ's narrative shifts from the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem (which would come within a generation), to the time of His return and the judgment.  Let us pay close attention to the fearful events He describes, and the emotions stirred in the hearts of people:  fear, and distress, and from expectations of those things which are coming on the earth -- for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

 

 There are many who seem to have a conscious idea of the world somehow becoming better and better, a sort of progress of virtue of one kind or another.  This may be due to scientific or material progress in terms of modern technologies and advances, or advances in science and education, even innovations in new sorts of time-saving or powerful capacities for the use of energies, and all manner of modern infrastructure.  But at the same time, we need to take a look at the world and ask ourselves what innovation has not also brought uses which are surely not for the better of the world or of mankind, as modern wars have been so destructive, technologies within the twentieth century bringing us massive displacement of populations and even genocides.  Today's modern warfare gives us a no man's land where a society once had an infrastructure that served people for transportation, hospitals, universities, and even attempts at a universal constitutional concept of rights for all citizens.  Human beings may create with intelligence and industry many capacities, but those capacities also become used to bring us fearsome sights indeed, as the past century has easily witnessed and continues to witness.  In this vein, let us consider what is the difference between material innovation and the spiritual understanding of the blessings of our faith.  We certainly have experience of distress of nations, and men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth.  In St. Matthew's Gospel, Jesus says, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matthew 24:29).  St. Ambrose comments on today's passage in Luke, clearly seeing both physical and spiritual prophecy.  Not only will a  hostile army trample visible Jerusalem, as did the Romans, even emptying Jerusalem of its Jewish population.  But, he writes, "All Judea will be put to the spiritual sword, the two-edged sword, by the nations that will believe. There will be different signs in the sun, moon and the stars. When very many fall away from religion, a cloud of unbelief will darken bright faith, because for me that heavenly Sun is either diminished or increased by my faith. If very many gaze on the rays of the worldly sun, the sun seems bright or pale in proportion to the capacity of the viewer, so the spiritual light is imparted to each according to the devotion of the believer. In its monthly courses, the moon, opposite the earth, wanes when it is in the sun’s quarter. When the vices of the flesh obstruct the heavenly Light, the holy church also cannot borrow the brightness of the divine Light from the rays of Christ. In the persecutions, love of this life alone certainly very often shuts out the light of God."  So, therefore, St. Ambrose sees in this prophecy the pattern observed elsewhere in Scripture, that as faith is diminished, so the world becomes "darkened," a sense in which Christ the true Light is harder to see and to perceive.  Effectively, these prophecies become teachings on the importance of enduring in our faith and the practices of our faith.  For the light that we truly need is the spiritual light, and the truth we surely need to live by is the spiritual truth which Christ brings us.  The progress we make in material terms can be diminished with so much darkness that we can no longer see our path correctly without this light.  Let us not be taken in when things appear to be progress, but human suffering and the diminishing of life and of faith continue to our detriment.  At the same time, Christ asks us not to be deceived, and to persist in our faith, to watch.  As we in the developed world consider a wide array of material goods with which we may celebrate holidays, let us keep in mind our spiritual reality, and not be so dazzled that we don't keep our eyes on the true light.   There are many in the world who suffer for our faith, for Christianity, today.  Let us keep our eyes on His reality, and the teaching of the poor widow who sacrificed all she had for the love of God, for there are those who have kept and are keeping their faith in the face of violence and the swords of those hostile to Christ.  Let us keep in mind the great sacrifices as gifts to God some are willing to make and have made -- even of their very lives and security -- as we celebrate the holidays with gifts of a commercial kind.   Remember our brothers and sisters across the world in your prayers.

 

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near

 

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away by captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.  

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts filing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

 

- Luke 21:20-28 

 

Yesterday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, Jesus said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and rumors of commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls." 

 

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away by captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  My study Bible comments that Christ's phrase when you see is an indication that many of the disciples would still be alive at the time of the Siege of Jerusalem, and the events that took place at that time.  This word translated as desolation is the same Greek word used in the Septuagint version of the prophecy of Daniel regarding the desolation of Jerusalem (for example, in Daniel 9:2).  In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, there is a specific reference in Jesus' discourse on end times to the "abomination of desolation," another phrase found in Daniel's prophecy (see Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Daniel11:31, 12:11).  My study Bible says that this was fulfilled in AD 70, when the Roman general Titus entered the Most Holy Place and had a statue of himself erected in the temple before having the temple destroyed.  Jesus pronounces woe to those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in the context of the fierce destruction and desperate conditions of that time.  It is an acknowledgement of the pain a mother endures in seeing her children suffering, for these would find it difficult to flee in the haste required.  My study Bible quotes St. John Chrysostom:  "Mothers are held by the tie of feeling for their children, but cannot save them.  How can one escape the bonds of nature?  How can she who nurses ever overlook the one she has borne?"

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts filing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  Again the narrative shifts to the fullness of the eschatology, the fullness of the time in which we live (and have done so since).  Christ's return will happen in a way that is unmistakable to all.  My study Bible comments that, while at His first coming, Christ came in humility and mortality, at His second coming, He will be revealed in power and great glory.

Jesus pronounces this intriguing statement on the time of His return:  "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."   What is redemption in this sense? The word in Greek is ἀπολύτρωσις/apolytropsis, from the root "lytron" which means ransom.  The verbal form means to pay a ransom, to redeem in this sense.  In this sense, it is understood as paying a ransom to free a captive, such as a slave, to liberate through full payment and return to a rightful owner or place.  This hope for redemption fills the Old Testament Scriptures.  In one translation of Sirach (also called Wisdom of Sirach), we read Israel's prayer to God "that He would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!" (Sirach 50:24)  But in the Septuagint Greek, the word for "deliver" is really the same one found in Christ's prophecy, which literally means to ransom.  My study Bible comments that this age-old Jewish hope is accomplished through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 1:7-14 and Romans 8:22-23, St. Paul advocates the same.  Effectively, when we view this in the context Christ gives us of the fullness of the age, the end times, we understand His life, death, and Resurrection to be working itself through all of this time in which we live, and coming to fullness and fruition at the time of His return.   To understand "fullness" in this sense, we need to know the Greek word for "end" which is τέλος/telos.  Telos does not indicate "end" so much in terms of termination, but rather that something has proceeded to its fullest point, its final goal, and greatest expression.  In this sense, the "end times" fulfill Christ's mission and work, His life, death, and Resurrection -- for these have worked and have been working since they were done.  They continue to be "at work" in our time, throughout the age, and will come to total fruition in His return.  In this sense we are redeemed, for it is His life, death, and Resurrection which fully liberates all -- all of creation.  And so, we are redeemed through His efforts, fully liberated from the bonds of the "prince of this world" and the effects of evil.  We are reminded that in John's Gospel, Jesus says, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working" (John 5:17).  His mission is still working in this sense, and we participate in that work ("This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" - John 6:29).  This working will not cease until its fullness, and that is the time of His return.  So, in our prayer and worship, let us consider how we "work" also in this redemption and liberation, how we are also laborers for the harvest.  Christ's emphasis in His prophecy of end times is on our own faithfulness, our alertness to the work He asks of us as good servants, ready to act according to His commandments.  Let us consider, then, how we are to be in this time, as the spiritual struggle for the Kingdom continues, our faithfulness and prayer and worship helping and participating in the work of redemption for the life of the world.  In today's reading, Jesus' discourse and prophesy warns first of desolation, but this is the beginning of a new age, the fullness of which has yet to be seen, and is ongoing in its struggle to unfold. But it ends with redemption, and that is the full story of our faith.

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near

 

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

 

- Luke 21:20–28 

 

Yesterday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, Jesus said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls."

 

  "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  Here is a direct warning about what is to come in the lifetimes of the people who hear Christ.  The desolation of Jerusalem (and particularly of the temple; see yesterday's reading, above) was fulfilled in AD 70.  The prophecy of Daniel ("all things which are written") was occurred during the Siege of Jerusalem, when the Roman general Titus entered the Most Holy Place and had a statue of himself erected in the temple before having the temple destroyed.  My study Bible comments that the phrase when you see indicates that many of the disciples would still be alive at that time.  Those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies would be unable to flee quickly in a time of desperation.  In chapter 23, Jesus, on His way to Golgotha, will say to the women who weep for Him, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’  Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’  For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (see Luke 23:28-31).

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  My study Bible comments that Christ's return will be unmistakable to the whole world.  In other words, if there is any question or doubt, that alone is evidence that He has not returned.  

What could the end of the world possibly mean in our understanding and imagination?  How could we picture it?  Despite speculation, despite the stuff of fantasy and films, I don't think we can imagine it.  There are hints we're given in the Gospels about life in the resurrection, the future to come that is beyond the world as we know it, such as Jesus discusses in response to the question in the temple from the Sadducees (see this reading).  But this is the reality of an age beyond time.  Jesus' prophecy in today's reading, in which He tells us that the powers of the heavens will be shaken, is an indication that the very foundations of the cosmos as we understand it will be shaken.  This is a transition to a different reality, a different life, and indicates a change beyond our capacity to predict.  In a comment on the passage giving us Christ's answers to the Sadducees about the resurrection, my study Bible tells us, "It is the clear teaching of Christ that the souls of the faithful who have departed this life are sustained before the face of God in anticipation of the final joy of the resurrection."  All indications are that this ultimate resurrection, the ultimate end, is a time of tremendous transfiguration of life -- a shift of everything that we know as life itself, likely including our experience of time and space.  So Christ's Incarnation has initiated into being the "end times," which is this Christian era in which we now live and await His return.  The signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars are those things which will herald a complete new age, a shift in the firmament of creation itself, a new heaven and a new earth, as the Revelation says (Revelation 21:1).  This doesn't just signal a physical transformation, but also a spiritual transformation in what constitutes the cosmos; it's a new age not for the earth alone, but for God's creation.  To behold the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory signals a shift in the ground of existence, a new kind of perception, and an unmistakable change -- and this is the end of the age to which Christ points, which is linked in all of His speech regarding this end time with the destruction of Jerusalem and of the temple.  The details themselves are intermingled, signaling at the very least that a new age of "end times" have begun through which we await His return.  What this information should do is simply give us pause to understand that all that we take for granted rests upon a foundation that is in a process of change, and that this change signals something far greater beyond us than we can perceive.  It should give us a perspective on our own lives -- and, in particular, in the lives of we who call ourselves the faithful -- that we participate in something deeper, greater, grander than our day to day experience can show.  Everything we do that speaks to our faith, each choice we make in the light of Christ's life and teachings, every little prayer or sacramental act, becomes something that roots us in the participation of the fullness of life to which Christ points.  We become those in whom He's invested His faith and teachings so that we can carry this kingdom of God into the world, linking the here and now to what is so greatly beyond us, even to a transfigured reality of time.  In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes, "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?" (Romans 8:22-24).  Two millennia later we still look to these words that teach us about hope, and that even in the midst of tribulation our understanding is one of hope.  We participate in that which is much greater and grander in dimension than we are; our faith ties us to this hope and to this future.  It is the life of the Spirit to which we turn, in which we are assured, and continue in that ground of that hope -- for it is with us always.

O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them

 

 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father!  The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

 

- John 17:20–26 

 

In our current readings, Jesus has just finished delivering His Farewell Discourse to the disciples (starting with this reading), and has begun praying what is commonly called the High Priestly Prayer (begun in this reading).  In yesterday's reading, Jesus prayed:  ""While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name.  Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.  But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth." 

 

 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father!  The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."   My study bible comments that those who will believe describes the Church in every generation, participating in the life and glory of the Trinity.  It says that Christians enjoy two kinds of unity:  with God and with one another, the latter being rooted in the former.   Ultimately, it says, the goal of Christ's prayer, and of life itself, is for the love of the Father to dwell in each person. 

 

 In these final verses of Christ's High Priestly Prayer,  Christ prays not only for the disciples before Him, but for all those who are to come to faith, "those who will believe in Me through their word" (that is, the word of the apostles).  His prayer is first for unity ("that they also may be one in Us"), and that this unity will convey that faith to the world ("that the world may believe that You sent Me").    The great theologians of the Church, such as St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. John Chrysostom, and others connect this unity to the gift of the Holy Spirit; that is, to grace.  But when we look closely at Christ's prayer, there are other elements also connected to this unity, and they are also gifts, that were given to the Son from the Father, and in turn are given to us.  Christ next speaks of the glory given to Him by the Father, and this, also, is linked to the Holy Spirit and to grace:  for, like unity, it is a gift from Father to Son, but also shared with the faithful.  Jesus links this glory with perfection in one, and so we understand it as redemption -- that is, a life lived according to grace.  But finally Christ speaks of love, the love of the Father shared with the Son before the foundation of the world, before all ages, before time.  Unity, perfection, glory, and love are inseparable.  They all exist within this bond of Father and Son, and Christ prays to extend them to all who have faith, who know the Father, and understand and perceive that Christ is from the Father.  Just as He prayed about many mansions, and going to prepare a place for His followers (John 14:2-3) so they may be together, here He prays that they may not only be with Him, but also to behold His glory given by the Father, from the Father's great love for the Son.  Jesus calls the Father righteous, giving us a hint about what constitutes true glory, but declares that "the world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me," once again separating a world of darkness -- unknowing -- from those who come to know and love God, and share in this unity.  Finally, there is the declaration of the Father's name, which is also linked back to love, a love of the Father for the Son, and which is shared fully with Christ's followers, those who will come in faith and through grace.   These words imply a unity between Creator and creature, made possible through the love of the Father, the Father's gifts to the Son, and those gifts shared with the faithful -- made possible with the gift of the Spirit and hence of grace.  They are mystical words which need a mystical perception to begin to understand, but they call us into a unity in which we may participate and share glory, redemption, the Father's name, and most especially the love that exists between the Persons of the Trinity.  While the prayer speaks of a unity that exists outside of time; that is, it may convey both a desire of Christ, and an outcome which will only find its fullness in the culmination of ages of this world -- it is also a prayer that is at work within and through time.  And we might catch glimpses of each of these things within our own faith lives, our deeper growing trust, an understanding of love and righteousness, and even glory or true value, and what it is to be a part of "the name" of the Father and the Father's house or "many mansions."  What is perhaps most remarkable is simply the concept present here in love, because this shared love is meant to be shared within a family, a home, "a name" -- meaning the house of God.   As creatures, and subject to time, we cannot comprehend how exactly all of this happens.  But we are capable of participating in it and experiencing it, however short such glimpses and perceptions are, however nuanced.  We can feel our deep loyalty to this name, this "house" or home of God the Father, Son, and Spirit, and we can feel our belonging.  When we call on God for help, we sense a deep love and trust, the same way a child senses love and trusts.  All these things are shared in the fullness of participation, and they are found in the fullness of this prayer by Christ.  It is a prayer for all the ages and beyond the ages; it may find the fullness of its answer when ages cease and even beyond time, but for now it is at work through time, and all of these things:  glory, worth, righteousness, love, and the unity found in these things can be experienced through the grace that works in us, the gift of the Spirit.  This is what our services and prayers are for, and Christ's prayer must be the most potent of all.  It is important that we understand the ancient concept of "perfect" which Christ prays here.  Note that He doesn't pray we "are" perfect, but that we may be made perfect in one.   This word for "made perfect" in the Greek is τελειόω, related to τέλος/telos, or "end."  Essentially it means literally brought to an end, completed.  It implies a work through time, a fullness of something, brought to its most complete point.  And this is what we are to understand in Christ's prayer; it is a fullness on the way to being most fully manifest, and through the fullness of time to its end point, known only to God.  This is what is at work in us, and how it is working, and so we must understand ourselves and our faith as works in progress, and works in love.  Christ's prayer is always working, no matter what things may temporarily look like from our perspective, and we can count on its potency and love. 

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectations of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

  - Luke 21:20-28

In our current readings, Jesus is in Jerusalem, and it is what we know as Holy Week, the final week of the earthly life of Jesus.  He has been teaching daily in the temple, and also disputing with the religious leaders, who question His authority and also seek to trap Him.  But the common people listen eagerly to hear Him teach.  Yesterday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls."

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  Jesus warns of what is to come in Jerusalem (at the Siege of Jerusalem, which would take place in 70 AD).   These events would effectively take place forty years after Christ's death.   Forty years after Christ's death indicates, according to St. John Chrysostom, a period of an entire generation given as grace and for consideration of the gospel message.  My study bible notes that the Lord's phrase when you see indicates that many of the disciples would still be living at that time.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectations of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  Jesus speaks of the fulfillment of this time in which we live, which will culminate in His Return.  That they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory indicates this even will be unmistakable to all people, hidden from no one.  My study bible comments that at His first coming, Christ came in humility and mortality.  But at His second coming, He will be revealed in power and great glory, a phrase used also by Matthew (Matthew 24:30).

What does it mean that Jesus says that "Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled"?  I think we don't necessarily know a clear answer to that.  But certainly we can be given to understand we live in a period in which we simply await His Return -- and that we have no idea when that will occur.  God's time is not our time, and the fulfillment of prophesy is not a matter of simple calculation, nor immediate manifestation.  Moreover, all of Christ's emphasis is first of all upon warning His immediate disciples to be alert and aware of the time in which the Siege of Jerusalem would take place, and also that all of the Church -- for the entire period of existence of the Church -- is to remain alert for His Return.  That is, we're not to sit and calculate and speculate when that will happen.  Rather we remain alert to the things that we need to be about, how we best fulfill the mission He's given us, and to be the disciples He asks us to be.  In this sense, although 2,000 years have passed since Christ's life as Jesus, each of us has absolutely no time to waste.  Many will tell you that life is short, but what Jesus teaches us is that every moment counts, that He expects us to be alert and awake and fully present to His purposes in our daily lives.  Despite the power of prophecy and the temptation to speculate, if we don't take that message from what He tells us, then we are missing the point.  In this sense, every moment is precious.  Our walk of faith in our worldly lives is so essential that even the hair of our heads is numbered.  It is really remarkable how many teachings of Christ seem to indicate we have no time to waste.  When He warns against excess anxiety and useless worry (12:22-34), He's really teaching us not to waste our precious time.  He warns us that His Return will come as a thief in the night, at an hour we don't expect.   So our real purpose in hearing and heeding these warnings is to understand how deeply essential to God each moment of our lives in discipleship really is.  If we realized how precious our own life is, we would consider always what it is that we are to be about, how we may love God and grow in the practice of that love.  For each moment and for each person, there will always be ways to be busy being about "our Father's business."  We may always turn to prayer, for Christ calls faith in Him the work of God (John 6:28-29).  In a prayerful life, we may see things with a certain perspective, and whatever is before us to do will present opportunities for acting on that love of God, that faith in Christ.  We effectively consider at all times the two commandments that Jesus calls the greatest:  that we first love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, and from this we love neighbor as ourselves.  The life lived as if all time is precious is one in which we do not forget this teaching, in which we understand that a moment lived in this love is not wasted -- and that there may be infinite ways of its expression depending upon our own circumstances.  It is a disposition of the heart that is the kind of alertness we're called to, and there will always be something at hand -- even if that means to sit in one's secret, private place and pray.  Sometimes that is indeed the best use of our time, as affirmed by Christ (Matthew 6:6).  Let us not forget that Christ also calls us to appreciate the beauty of the world and not to waste our time in useless toil (Matthew 6:28-29).  Moreover, we're to be aware of the good gifts we're given.   And we are always called back to ourselves, as was the Prodigal (15:17).  We might consider all the goals and challenges with which the world may present us; and contrast that with the humility He asks of us, the true and sober orientation of the heart He reminds us always to be alert to -- for it is there we will find our true challenge, the Way He asks of us, and how precious our every moment is to Him.  This is how we remain mindful of the reality of the time to "look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who hare in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

- Luke 21:20-28

Yesterday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, Jesus said, "These things which you see --- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls."

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who hare in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  Jesus' prophesy of the Roman Siege of Jerusalem is vivid and graphic.  They are images of the urgency to flee, to take the warnings seriously.  They would be fulfilled in AD 70.  The early Church thereby escaped and survived this devastating event. 

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  Jesus' description of end times and His return is mixed with the warnings about the destruction and devastation to come after a generation to Jerusalem.   That the powers of the heavens will be shaken indicates a tremendous cosmic event.  The one thing that is clear about Jesus' return, coming in a cloud with power and great glory, is that it will be an event known to all when it happens, unmistakable to the whole world. 

As is consistent with descriptions of the end times found elsewhere in the Gospels, Jesus' prophecy mixes events concerned with the destruction of Jerusalem (and the Second Temple) which would take place a generation after He speaks, and the time of His second coming, which we yet await.  For all kinds of reasons, these two things coincide with one another, not least of which is the tremendous shift involved from one covenant to another, and Jesus' words in John's Gospel that "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth"  (John 4:24).  The destruction of the temple is a type of manifestation of this truth, a sign that God is not in one place or another, nor in one building or another, but that God's kingdom is within us and among us (17:21).  Jesus' Resurrection begins the end times, in which we now live.  We are all familiar with "wars and rumors of wars," nations rising against nations, devastation, famines, earthquakes, persecutions which Jesus warns about.  But of one thing He wishes us to be certain:  our faith.  When He returns, we will all know it and it will be unmistakable and obvious to all.  We are to endure through all things, and count all experiences as possible opportunities for witnessing.  Persecution is not the true end, nor is death by martyrdom the true end.  We must remember what we are to be about, as His good servants, and as those who have been made aware of the reality behind all that we will see and experience.  What Christ gives us, then, is a focus and a way to see.  No matter what happens or befalls us, He seems to teach, there is a way to think of our lives and our purpose, and that derives from faith.  Fear is not the purpose of these prophetic warnings.  Rather, His purpose is the opposite:  to give us a way to live through them and know Whose we are and what we are to be about.  He gives us a point of reference for all things, including our very identities, and perspectives from which we live our lives.  When we face conflict or even world-shattering experiences, let us remember what He tells us about ourselves and our hearts.  He gives us the true center of our own being from which we are to view everything.

Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled

 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

- Luke 21:20-28

On Saturday we read that, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down."  So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be?  And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?"  And He said:  "Take heed that you not be deceived.  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.'  Therefore do not go after them.  But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."  Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.  You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.  But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.  Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.  You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.  But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls."

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.  For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.  And Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  This is a very vivid prediction of what is to come in Jerusalem, and a warning to Jesus' followers and the early Church.  These events would occur in AD 70, at the Siege of Jerusalem.  Again we note that the destruction of the Temple and the "end times" are mingled in Jesus' prophecy.   It is the entry into the age in which we live, the initiation of "end times" which will culminate in His Return.

"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  These are the signs of the fulfillment of the times, of the age.  To see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory is an event all will witness when it happens.  But before this redemption draws near, we should remember that Jesus promises perplexity, and also fear and expectation that sets men's hearts failing.  This prophesy is not about a utopian life or perfect peace.  But while at His first coming, Jesus came in humility as human being, His Return will be revealed with power and great glory.

The times of the end are bound up with this central event of the destruction of the temple and the Siege of Jerusalem, in Jesus' telling.  We have to remember the audience to whom He's speaking at this time.  They are in the grand, splendid, extraordinary temple in Jerusalem.  His words are most likely simply unthinkable or unimaginable to His hearers.  But we know what happen approximately forty years from the time in which He speaks.  He speaks of the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles, thereby teaching us about an initiation that begins with Him and with His prophecy.  This is the initiation of the time in which we live, which is also  the age of "end times" if we look at His prophecy in the Scripture.  When Jesus says (in Saturday's reading, above) that nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, He's describing sights that are very familiar to the whole "generation" of the Church, the times of the entire era Christian faithful.  It is a description of the times, the age in which we live, the time in which we await our redemption (that is, the time of His Return, as He says above).   Over all else, He emphasizes endurance and patience.  He warns us of the frightful times that will bring distress and perplexity and fearful expectations.  In Saturday's reading He warned of persecutions, but taught that they will be opportunities for testimony, and for reliance upon Him.   We're not to be dissuaded in any case, because when the true end comes, it will be unmistakable to all -- with power and great glory.  The emphasis here is on faith, on endurance in faith.  It is faith we must return to and rely on through all times.  We're warned of terrible fears, and reminded of the tests through His ministry that have already come to the apostles, such as the time when they crossed the Sea of Galilee, and feared they were perishing (Luke 8:22-25).  Jesus asked them then, "Where is your faith?"  The consistent teaching is to rely on Him, to have endurance and patience in our faith.  This is the response to fear, to the frightful things we may witness.  We may not understand all the factors and forces behind frightful violence, national struggles, even cataclysmic problems of nature.  But we are given a promise and a mission -- and also warnings of such times.   We are to endure, and by our patience possess our souls, as He said in Saturday's reading.  This is the great struggle:  it is one for faith, despite everything else we may witness or fear or find as challenge in our lives as we await redemption and His Return.  It's a great gift to understand that we will experience fear and frightening situations, and to know that the struggle for faith isn't one of mere stoicism, but of returning again to Him, His teachings, His word, and our reliance on His word and presence in our lives.

That they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons

But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"' Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.

- Mark 3:7-19

Yesterday, we read about Jesus' encounters with the Pharisees. When He and His disciples walked through a field on a Sabbath, and plucked ears of corn and ate as they passed, the Pharisees criticized them. They asked why they are violating the Sabbath law, by working in the plucking of the grain. Jesus pointed out the example of King David, who was fed the showbread by the father of the high priest along with His men when they were hungry. He said the Sabbath was made for man -- and that the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath. Later, He was in the temple, and healed a man with a withered hand -- also violating (in the eyes of the Pharisees) their practice of Sabbath rest. He asked, ""Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" From this day, the Pharisees plot together with their enemies, the Herodians, to destroy Jesus.

But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. Here is something interesting. After Jesus' confrontation over the Pharisees' zealous practice of the Sabbath rest, He withdraws. He has forced the confrontation that was necessary, but it is not a personal matter of power for Him. Rather, it is for the revelation of God - the love and mercy He is here to express - that the confrontation took place. It is for the sake of telling the truth and expressing His purpose in the world. But He doesn't force a greater confrontation without purpose; instead He withdraws with His disciples in order to expand His ministry into the next step.

And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. His ministry grows, and is such that He is forced to take measures to avoid being crushed. By now all of Israel is after Him to follow Him and to witness and experience His healing.

And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known. The demons, who have been free to do as they wish until this time, recognize Him. He is the Son of God. He is here for a purpose, which they don't understand -- but they do understand His strength to dispatch them. However, the messianic secret must be kept. Even at this time of conflict with the Pharisees, Jesus will reveal Himself only in the ways in which He must, for the mission and purpose for which He's sent. He wishes to be known first in a certain way, for the qualities of God which He reveals, and not the expectations of a political messiah.

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. Jesus expands the ministry by investing in and sharing His power with His chosen disciples who will be known as the Twelve Apostles. They will have power to do as He does in His ministry: to preach, to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. These are "called" by Him. My study bible points out that His appointments are different from calling for volunteers for ministry; this is His authority at work. Discipleship involves an intimate life with Christ, learning from Him, following and developing an understanding of His work before they are sent out (the root meaning of the word Apostle). And a part of this call is the commission to share in His work. My study bible adds, "In Mark's view, demonic oppression is characteristic of human existence under the bondage of evil. The mission of Jesus' disciples is to liberate humanity from this bondage. Every age has its own manifestations of demonic power. Thus, we who are His disciples have a similar mission today -- helping people to break loose from bondage and come to freedom in Christ."

Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"' Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house. Finally the twelve are named, including the one who will betray Him. We see a constant sort of spiritual battle behind the scenes, just as we do in other Gospels. Jesus has to contend not only with a willing world that receives His ministry easily, but also with forces that work against Him, both worldly and spiritual. He will take up His cross, and this will also become a part of the call to "Follow Me."

What do we think of when we consider the demonic power expressed in the Gospels? We know, already, that Jesus has called Himself the "stronger man" who comes to replace the "strong man" of this world. He has full authority over the demons He encounters, and He shares this authority with those whom He calls to ministry with Him. He will also share His anointing at Pentecost. But my study bible's note is interesting if only to think of ways in which humanity may seem to be beset with a kind of struggle of the same nature for each age. Around ourselves we may find many kinds of darkness, of ignorance, of bondage to all sorts of things. I find that forces of loneliness, of terrible boredom, and especially that which comes from a lack of encouragement in life to positive action can lead to all kinds of harm and to things that are destructive to life. Discouragement alone, depression and anxiety are all forces to be reckoned with - and they can lead us down a hard and oppressive road. We still have with us selfishness of all kinds, and zeal for power and position, the hypocrisy of a life lived for false image (and only "the praise of men") rather than the true image He gives us in faith. So, there are all kinds of oppressive, limiting factors that create spiritual bondage in a modern age, and for which the Good News is a liberating factor. How do you find your encouragement today? In faith, through prayer and other help, even through faithful friends, find the positive word that pushes you toward a good future, a healing redemption, a new start. Find the love that teaches you who you truly are - and tells you the truth that an oppressive force will not let you know. Don't be a slave to the lies that would limit this power of love and redemption.

The Teacher

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people.

Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.

Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?" And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready." So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

- Luke 22:1-13

Yesterday's reading in the lectionary sequence was from the Gospel of John. It was the story of the woman caught in adultery. The temple leadership seeks to trap Jesus, and brings her before Him, telling Him they must apply the law and stone her. But Jesus responds in a peculiar way, writing on the ground. We don't know what He wrote, but we do know His response: "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." One by one, those who could also be convicted of sin left the scene, until there were no accusers left. Jesus said to the woman, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called Passover." These two feasts are actually separate or distinct, but my study bible notes that they were "largely overlapping" - therefore they could be identified as one. The Passover commemorates God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. For all of Christian history, the Church has seen Christ's Passion as a new deliverance and redemption.

"And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill Him, for they feared the people." My study bible notes, "That the religious leaders feared the people means the populace at large favored charismatic figures such as Jesus. Therefore, there is need for treachery, night arrest, and quick trial." The fear of the people is one more sign of their hypocrisy, and their care for show, reputation, and image. In the Gospels this translates into a sign that these are people who love the praise of men more than the praise of God.

"Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude." And here we have another "secret work," the work that takes place in the dark. We don't know exactly why Judas betrayed Jesus, but there has been much speculation and we are also given hints in the Gospels. (John's Gospel says it is because of greed.) It is my belief that we can see bitterness and resentment in his actions, perhaps a disappointment of false expectations, and also the failure to take his grievances to his master, and to the group, in dialogue. Our "dialogue" with the Lord is prayer.

"Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed." My study bible notes, "The Passover lambs were ritually slaughtered about noon on the first Day of Unleavened Bread, roasted in the afternoon, and eaten that evening -- marking the beginning of the Passover Festival. Unleavened bread was eaten in remembrance of the urgent Exodus from Egypt, in which there was not time for the bread to rise." We recall also the significance of the lambs - lambs' blood was sprinkled on the doorposts of the Jewish homes, so that the angel of death would "pass over." Christ is our "Passover lamb," our "sacrifice" who redeems and delivers.

And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?" And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready." So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. These instructions strike me as quite similar to those Jesus gave as He prepared to enter Jerusalem: "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.'" "The Teacher" has the same commanding power of "the Lord." This upper room of the Passover was considered by early church tradition to be in the home of the mother of John Mark, known as the Evangelist Mark. So, there is already familiarity with "the Teacher." But the coincidence of meeting someone carrying a pitcher of water is on another scale, and it teaches us about the awareness of this Lord, this Teacher, the knower of hearts, and the One who has taught us that the hairs on our heads are numbered with God's love and care. There's another understanding in this passage, that teaches us that Jesus' respect for the law and the customs of Passover is meant to mark a transition in tradition - not a rejection of the past and all that has come in the spiritual history of the People of God, of Israel, but rather a fulfillment, and a new manifestation of God's love, a revelation. He is also the Lord of the Law and the prophets.

We might find a lot of coincidences in our lives. We may live many instances throughout the years of our lives when we seem to be "replaying" some incident from our past, re-learning and perhaps re-examining our experiences in new lights. So we see this Passover feast as a great hallmark of spiritual history, in which we revisit an experience only to learn new things from it, to be given new dimension and direction, new insight about God and the revelation of Christ, our redeemer. The Passover is a religious festival commemorating the saving of Israel from slavery. We view our Lord, the Teacher, as He who comes to redeem us as well. He will pay the price for our freedom, a willing sacrifice. Jesus has taught that "unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor (John 12)." We can all think of things we have had to forgo, to give up, in order to grow and gain something better. As we await Advent, think about what you might forgo that stands as an obstacle to something better, a closer relationship to God, a deeper understanding of Christ. Perhaps in your own prayer life, you understand yourself to be moved toward the resolution of a conflict or dilemma in a way that seems like a great sacrifice. Challenge yourself to discipleship in this sense, in faith, and know that faith and trust put hope in something better. No one knows the outcome of faith in the individual disciple, and even Christ Himself asked, "Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). Let us remember His faith and example, and allow it to reinforce and invigorate ours, to be our strength in a time of trial and need.