In an old Calvin and Hobbes comic strip – this conversation takes place. In the first frame Calvin speaks to Hobbes and says: “Live for the moment is my motto. You never know how long you got“. In the second frame he explains: “You could step into the road tomorrow and WHAM, you get hit by a cement truck! Then you’d be sorry you put off your pleasures.” Calvin continues in the third frame, “That’s what I say – live for the moment.” Then he asks Hobbes: “What’s your motto?” In the fourth and final frame, Hobbes replies, “Look down the road.” (Bill Watterson, November 24, 2010)
The gospel lesson for this coming Sunday, Luke 21:5-19, is part of the “Little Apocalypse” found in all three synoptic gospels. After Jesus introduces a surprising and stark future for the disciples, they begin to wonder, “What’s this world coming to?” Jesus then shares with the disciples what they might expect. To follow Hobbes’ motto, Jesus invites them the look at the signs of the times to determine what’s coming down the road to them.
For the First Century disciples, it was not a pretty picture. As Christianity split from its Jewish roots, there would be trials in the synagogues. As Christianity proclaimed a Lord above Caesar, there would be persecution. In response to a revolt against Rome, the fearsome and powerful Roman army would come and bring destruction to the land, even demolishing Jerusalem and the Jewish temple. Jesus adds to this cosmic allusions – earthquakes, plagues, and portents in the heavens.
Perhaps we have an affinity both for the question, “What’s this world coming to?” and the response that there will be days filled with trouble. Each of us can identify situations and events in our lives, our communities, our nation and our world that appear as dark and foreboding clouds. In some cases, it seems like we already are in the midst of a storm. What is this world coming to?
While there is plenty of doom in Luke 21, it is not filled with despair. In the midst of persecutions, Jesus promises to be with the disciples. They will not be abandoned, but Jesus will come to them to strengthen, empower and guide their witness. Even in the midst of all that is said, there is an overarching sense that even when things appear to be in a downward spiral, God is still in control of history. This leads to the most important teaching. Admittedly, this goes beyond the lectionary passage, but is crucial to Jesus’ instruction. At the end of the tribulations, we are told that Jesus is coming with power and glory (21:27). Given this truth, Jesus instructs his disciples to “raise their heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (21:28).
Ultimately, faith changes the question from, “What’s this world coming to?” to “Who is coming to this world?” And the answer? Christ is coming to this world. History began with the creative Word of God and it will end with the Redeeming Word of God. The cosmos began in the presence of God and it will end in the presence of God. The good news is that in the midst of the mess, the Messiah will come and out of the chaos will be the Christ.
Certainly this doesn’t mean that all our days will be filled with ease. But it certainly is a promise that God is with us now and that God is drawing all of history to a conclusion of God’s gracious presence. This is the hope that Jesus offers us. Thanks be to God.
