Second Sunday in Advent (2023)
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Luke 21:25-36
Luke 21:25-36
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we see the trouble that the world is in and it is easy to allow ourselves to get caught up in its ways and wonder what is coming to pass? Why should we bother, what point is there in any of this? Should we keep on trying? It is tempting in the midst of the chaos and turmoil to throw our hands up and live as though there is no tomorrow, and thus party through the night. But we do not belong to the night, rather we belong to the Day of the Lord, and that is a day that we all want to see!
Signs of Christ’s Coming
There will be signs in the heavens.
We are told in the Scriptures that we will see the signs being the stars falling from the heavens, the moon will turn to blood, and the sun will be darkened. All of these serve as signs and reminders that the World we will in will not last, but that it is coming to an end. Now we must be careful in this distinction.
We don’t trust in the stars.
That is to say we don’t guide our lives by them, but understand that they mark the change in seasons and times. This is a fine line, and one that the scriptures themselves make. For there are those who guide their day, and their life by the stars in the skies above, but this is not what we are called to do. Rather we observe that the creation is wearing out, and showing signs of the return of Christ, and so we wish to be ready.
There will be signs also on earth.
Jesus tells us that the roaring of the sea and waves as natural disasters strike, and in the hearts of people who faint with fear over what is coming. For they see the signs that the world is growing weaker, in terms of famines, and disasters. They see the increase in wars, and rumors of wars and they try to save the planet from its end, but their battle is a losing one. For these are part of the signs.
The world won’t understand them.
They will think that these are just things for mankind to fix, not realizing that these foreshadow the end of all creation. That is too big, and too impossible that everything would come to an end.
How the World Sees the End
It is a reason for fear.
Think of all the movies and the various ways that the end fo the world has been predicted? The world can pick up on it, and in the back of their mind there is some awareness that as everything else comes to an end, what about the world and our way of life? As much as we might try to push that thought away we cannot escape the fact that just as we ourselves will come to an end, so too will the world.
If your treasures are here, you don’t want to lose them.
Now what might those treasures be? Money? Family? Hobbies? Places we’ve not seen or visited? Perhaps you haven’t done enough work yet? The loss of all that we have, causes a fair amount of panic, because if it is all you know then you will lose everything.
If they might all be lost, enjoy them now.
This is why you see people rush to enjoy the good things in life now. Like why do I enjoy Oreos now, because eventually the doctor is going to say I can’t have them. What’s the danger? Well then shouldn’t I over indulge in those things that I love and enjoy as much of them as I can right now? Then you would over do it and find yourself in a mess. Panic is disastrous.
The World cannot see the end as being good.
Think about it from the perspective of oreos, if there is something that really has enslaved me that bad, then isn’t it better that it ends? The trouble with the world is that it doesn’t recognize its slavery to sin, and to death. They are blind to the truth of the world, and bind themselves to it even though it is perishing. This is not what Jesus came into the world and laid down his life for you, or why Jesus is coming back.
Jesus’ Return
The end means your redemption.
It means your freedom from this world that is wearing out, from this world that is filled with sorrows, from the aches, the pains, there will be no more mourning or crying, for those belong to this world which is passing away.
Jesus tells us it will be like summer.
That is why he compares it to the fig trees budding, not losing their lives, or snow coming down, or wintry mix. It is compared with the season of bounty and harvest when the world is full of life and fruitful. What we are experiencing now is the world wearing down, and that is not what Christ’s Kingdom is like.
This was written for our encouragement, and hope.
We can look at the world and be of good cheer, for we know that no matter how deep the snow gets, no matter how short the days grow, that light will return, that the days will grow longer. This is why Advent was set in the time of winter as we look to the coming of Christ, the world grows darker, but we know that light will return, we use the seasons themselves to teach the faith.
For we have the sure and certain Word, which doesn’t pass away.
THe reason we know this to be true is that though the world passes away the Word of God remains forever. The Word is faithful, for the Word of God is different from words of men. God’s Word is performative and makes things happen. So we do not lose heart, for by His Word he has made you his child.
We Must Be on Guard
The signs are fulfilled.
Jesus says that these signs would all be fulfilled before this generation had passed away, and in his final words in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us he will be with us to the end of this age. We are in the last times and await the return of Christ, and it is good for us to know this
We do not wish to fall asleep.
That is to say be caught unaware by Christ’s return. There are many parables that speak of this, for we are servants of Jesus and we know that our master is coming at an unknown hour, so let us make sure we are prepared and set for his return lest we be caught unaware like the world.
We spend time in prayer.
That is part of why we are here, to spend time in prayer and the Word of God and to meditate upon it. We need this, for we are of the flesh, and we are prone to the anxieties that plague the flesh, but as we spend time in the word and in prayer, we are reminded that God is working everything to completion to bring his people into his kingdom.
Flee From The Snares
In particular, Jesus warns about drunkenness.
That’s what Dissipation is, and this is something that we need to be aware of, did you know we are in the top 40 drunkest counties in the nation. There is joy to be found in wine and beer, but overindulgence overthrows faith and makes a shipwreck of it, so do not become trapped by it, and if you are, repent.
This includes drugs as well.
Another problem that plagues our area. We ought to be on guard, and avoid them, for they strip us of reason and tie us strongly to fleeting feelings. They are a tempting fix, because in the short term they offer some promise, but in the long term they will not save you.
It also speaks of cares, which refers to worries.
These things make sense for the world, because they believe that everything falls back on them and its up to them to solve everything. This would be the person who has to have everything just right or perfect, and if its not it consumes them with worries. Repent
Trust God’s Will and His outcomes.
We often make the mistake in our prayers that we go to him telling him what ought to happen, and how it ought to happen and believe God has failed if things don’t then work that way. Who are you that God ought to take your advice? But He is a loving Father, and when you are overwhelmed, uncertainty, scared or afraid, go to him in prayer, and lay them upon his shoulders and let God worry, as a Father worries and cares for his children.
So my Brothers and Sisters in Christ it is our joy that the we see the signs that point the end. For we know what that means, Christ will return with power and glory and might, and we have a place that is not temporary but eternal. So let us not be weighed down by the problems fo this world or this life, but rather look ahead to the coming of Christ’s eternal kingdom. For there all of these problems that have come from sin, will be brought to an end. That is something to look forward to with Joy, In Jesus name. Amen.