9.30am Sunday 30 November 2003
Rev Des Botting
Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-38
Yesterdays edition of Canvas, published in the New Zealand Herald, has on its front cover, Everything you need to know before you see the last chapter of Peter Jacksons epic trilogy, that is, referring to the trilogy of films based on Tolkiens novel, The Lord of the Rings. It features the premiere of The Return of the King, which will take place in Wellington tomorrow. This film has helped put New Zealand on the map so far as the rest of the world is concerned. Paul Voigt, the Investment Manager for Investment New Zealand quotes cab-drivers in San Diego whod never heard of the Americas Cup but who, when he told them he was from New Zealand, instantly said, Lord of the Rings. Air New Zealand are doing their bit to make sure this happens with the colourful paintings on all their international carriers depicting some of the main characters in the film. The papers wrote about this under the caption, Lord of the Wings. Tomorrow will certainly be a proud day for Peter Jackson and the team who have worked so hard on these films over the past three years.
However, putting aside all the hype associated with this prestigious premiere, its the title of the film that captured my imagination and all that it promises of light and hope, freedom and peace. It is what the first Sunday in Advent 2003 is all about; the return of this earths true King, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the whole of creation is eagerly waiting for.[1] The return of Jesus will be on a universal scale. It will embrace all humankind, because every eye will see him when he comes with power and great glory.[2] What a day of rejoicing that will be!
What does Luke say about this great event, part of which is found in the passage that we read from his Gospel this morning? Jesus had been teaching in the temple each day since his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Luke tells us, Everyone got up early and came to the temple to hear him teach.[3] Over this time the Pharisees and Sadducees had challenged Jesus about certain points of doctrine and practice. Each time their attempts to trap him in what he said only served to show up their ignorance and inadequate understanding of their own Scriptures, until Luke tells us, From then on no one dared to ask Jesus any questions.[4] After warning his listeners to be on their guard against the teachers of the Law of Moses, Jesus then tells them in the first half of chapter 21, of the difficult times ahead. Many of the things that Jesus speaks of have happened, or are already happening. Wars and riots have been commonplace in the events of world history. But he also says, There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases.[5] One cannot help think of some of the earthquakes we have read of, even this year, and the report that possibly up to three million people in North Korea alone have died of starvation, let alone what has happened in other parts of the world. When we think of the enormous social cost of the Aids epidemic that is sweeping through so many countries, it makes us realise the very things Jesus said would indicate that his return is near, are already happening. Graham Scroggie in his commentary on Luke and John, first published over twenty years ago, says regarding this passage from Luke: What is clear is, that the Lords return is to be heralded by world unrest, by universal commotion. Such a time is ours, and present-day conditions may be these signs, though no one can say for certain that they are. Sometime or another the Son of man will come, and so we cannot afford to neglect any such evidence as are here set forth.[6]
These were the last words Jesus taught in public. The subject matter is about his return, because the culminating event of all human history will be The Return of the King. This will see the fulfillment of Gods plan for the universe, that all things will be set free and made complete in His Son. As the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians: when the time is right, God will do all he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.[7] And Paul then goes on to say, God always does what he plans[8]
In these verses Luke reveals first, that
1. History has a GOAL. Theres a reason behind all that happens in this universe of ours. This is certainly true of the events that will precede and prepare for his return. Jesus speaks of the distress among nations and their not knowing what to do when they see the strange things happening on the earth and in the sky. He says that people will be so frightened that they will faint from fear and foreboding. It will be a terrifying time. But we who have Gods word to guide us, know that this is all part of Gods plan. These are but the birth pangs of the new order that Christs return will bring. To say that All history is His Story is not being trite. He is the One who makes sense of it all. He is the One who will complete and unite all things. This is why Jesus says, When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. Literally, lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. You will soon be set free. This is a day to look forward to, the day all creation is longing for, the day that will see the culmination of Gods plans and purposes for his created order. It is a day that brings delight, not depression, for all who love the Lord and look for to his appearing. But we need to be alert to the signs. This is why Jesus want us to
2. Have an ETERNAL focus to our lives. Because we live in a world that is constantly changing it is so easy to lose sight of the things that never change. Jesus makes reference to one of these here, namely, his words. He says, The sky and the earth wont last forever, but my words will.[9] In preparing for the return of our King, we need to trust his words implicitly, build our lives on them, for his word is truth. Jesus likens those who build their lives on his word to the wise person who built a house on solid rock. No matter what storms they face, their lives will stand secure because they are built on the solid foundation of his eternal word. The truth of this was borne out in the testimonies that were shared at the Alpha Conference that several of us attended at the beginning of this past week. These were the testimonies of people who were not believers when they attended their first Alpha Course. One after another they shared how their lives had been changed through encountering Gods eternal Word, Jesus, and through receiving his Spirit into their lives. It was so encouraging hearing story after story of lives, marriages and families that were transformed and taken on an eternal focus which has given them purpose, and meaning.
This is why Jesus goes on in Luke to say, Dont spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life.[10] These are the things that stifle Gods life in us. The CEV puts it very politely. The meaning of these words speak of being burdened or weighed down with surfeiting or dissipation, which means an excess especially in eating and drinking that gives that bloated feeling, and which in medical writings was used of drunken nausea or headache and obviously refers to the hangover that follows such excesses; and also deep drinking which always refers to being intoxicated. We might think that surfeiting and drunkenness are quite out of character for the Christian, but as J C Ryle remarks, There is no sin so great but a great saint may fall into it: there is no saint so great but he may fall in a great sin. Jesus also mentions anxieties, or the cares of this life, which is the same word used by Matthew in the parable of the sower to describe those who are like the seed that fell among thorns and in whose lives the message gets choked by lifes worries and cares. Such a lifestyle smothers an eternal focus in life, and makes us insensitive to the things of God. We can only maintain that focus by having Gods word constantly in our hearts and minds. This is why Jesus said, No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.[11] Jesus words will last forever, and therefore, they are completely trustworthy. But not only does history have a goal, and our lives need an eternal focus, we must be prepared for Christs coming. Jesus goes on to speak of
3. How to PREPARE for The Return of the King. He lists three things we are to do.
a. We are to WATCH. That is, to be alert at all times. We are to be alert for error and false Christs. Jesus said, Dont be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say I am Christ! and Now is the time! But dont follow them.[12] We are to be alert to temptation. The apostle Peter said, Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.[13] Sin begins in the mind and imagination. Whenever sinful thoughts or ideas come to mind the temptation is to dwell on them. This is why we need to be discerning with what we watch, listen to, or read, so that we are not feeding our minds with garbage, but with the things that are true, right, holy and proper.[14] And we must be alert to Gods Spirit. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to be with us always. The Bible says, if we keep in step[15] with Gods Spirit we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature,[16] but like Simeon who had revealed to him the Lords first coming, we will recognise the time of his return.[17] Being alert to these things will enable us to complete the course God has planned for us and to complete it well.
b. We are to PRAY. Jesus says here in Luke that we are to pray to escape all that is going to happen. Jesus uses a very strong word for prayer that can be translated to beg, or to ask earnestly for. Note that it says we are to keep praying. It must be a constant part of our walk with God. As Paul says, Never stop praying, especially for others Stay alert and keep praying for Gods people. And he adds this helpful comment, Always pray by the power of the Spirit.[18] One of the reasons why prayer is so important is that it helps us keep in step with Gods Spirit and be ready for when our King returns. And finally,
c. We are to live to PLEASE Jesus. Jesus says, Watch out and keep praying that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.[19] This is the way the CEV has translated the Greek words, to stand before the Son of Man. One of the things that is very noticeable when a person receives Christ into their lives, is that whereas before they lived to please ourselves, now they think of others and live to please him. They have a new Master and they naturally want to do the things that he wants them to do. Jesus modeled this for us during his life, in that he lived to please his Father. The Bible tells us, Even Christ didnt try to please himself.[20] At his baptism we read of Jesus, as he prayed, the sky opened up, and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.[21] Through the help of Gods Spirit we will be able to live to please him. Can you imagine any greater privilege or honour than to be able to stand before the Lord Jesus when he returns as King, and to hear his words, Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share your masters happiness![22] Is not this incentive enough to complete the course set for us and to complete it well?
[1] Cf. Romans 8:19
[2] Luke 21:27 (All Bible references are from the Contemporary English Version unless otherwise stated.)
[3] Luke 21:38
[4] Luke 20:40
[5] Luke 21:11
[6] W Graham Scroggie, Luke & John, London: Ark Publishing CLC, 1981. P. 75
[7] Ephesians 1:10
[8] Ephesians 1:11a
[9] Luke 21:33
[10] Luke 21:34
[11] Matthew 4:4
[12] Luke 21:8
[13] 1 Peter 5:8
[14] Philippians 4:8
[15] Galatians 5:25 NIV
[16] Galataians 5:16 NIV
[17] Cf Luke 2:27-35
[18] Ephesians 6:18; cf also 1 Thessalonians 5:17
[19] Luke 21:36
[20] Romans 15:3a
[21] Luke 3:22
[22] Matthew 25:21,23