Lectionary: Proper 28(C)
Text: Luke 21:5-19
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| Prophecy of the Destruction of the Temple Tissot, James, 1886-1894 |
This chapter of Luke and parallel ones found in Mathew and Mark takes me back to my past. What do I mean by that?
A large segment of Christian groups focuses a great deal of
their theology and energy into the interpretation of scripture that are
attributed to describing and prophesying the end times. Although specifics and
interpretive details vary widely from group to group, if you’ve heard words and
phrases such as the rapture, time of trouble, the antichrist,
the millennium; if you’ve seen or heard about prophecy seminars;
if you’ve seen diagrams and charts plotting world events against scripture; you
have come across those who place a high priority on understanding the end
times.
I grew up in one of those groups and environments. In my framework,
Luke 21 spoke about both the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Coming. I
recall having a kind of checklist of characteristics for false Christs so that
we could identify them and not be led astray. I recall identification of
natural phenomenon and disasters – earthquakes, signs in the skies – with
specific events in history as proof that we were living in the end times. We
were sure that man-caused disasters and wars could not go on forever and Christ
would return to end it. We were sure the end of this world’s history was only a
few years away.
Yet here I am and here we are. I’ve been here over half a
century now. People who were born before me, who also were certain that they
would see Christ return, have died.
I was sure we would be faced with persecution and threat of
death for our theological beliefs and practices. We had certain beliefs that
were “core” that we could never renounce, and ones that we were supposed to
hold up high and loud as “a testimony.” But that hasn’t come to pass either. In
fact, in many ways the increase in pluralism here and around many parts of the
world has made it easier to practice one’s beliefs openly. This isn’t to say
that it is always easy, or that this is the case everywhere. But at least in
our present society, diversity is more accepted.
Before going on, I want to state to you what the
Presbyterian Church (USA) has to say about the understanding of the end times. There
is a very long formal document, but here are a few summary points:[1]
- · Fundamental to Presbyterian beliefs is a rejection of idle speculation about the “end times”,
- · Presbyterians reject dispensationalism and The Rapture as understood through dispensationalism,
- · Presbyterians believe that the divine purposes of reconciliation, justice, peace, wholeness, and the “good” that marked each part of God’s first creation will be restored,
- · Presbyterians reject the view that Christians will be largely successful in converting the entire world as preparation for Christ’s return, conversely,
- · Presbyterians reject the view that the world is nearly completely under Satan’s power, and that only those who hold to a particular set of Christian teachings are exempt,
- · Presbyterians reject the view God’s purposes depend on human achievements and institutions,
- · Presbyterians believe in engagement with the world as it exists, to establish communities that demonstrate God’s purpose,
- · Presbyterians believe that part of this demonstration includes resisting injustice in all its forms – including racism, sexism, and economic oppression,
- · Presbyterians believe the demonstration of God’s kingdom also includes feeding the hungry, healing the sick, caring for the suffering, freeing the oppressed, and preaching good news to the poor and disenfranchised,
- · Presbyterians believe in being ready for the end times while not speculating or being fearfully anxious about them, and
- · Presbyterians believe God is as concerned with the redemption of society as of individuals and therefore actively seek to demonstrate God’s purpose here and now until it is fully realized in God’s good time.
Now, I think this is a much healthier and productive way of
waiting for Christ’s return. Instead of trying to identify events in history,
to attempt to read and interpret the tea-leaves of present-day events, to be easily
swayed by charismatic and powerful voices, or to ride an emotional
rollercoaster of potential and failed signs, we are to engage with the world
and people around us. We are to utilize what gifts, abilities, and power with
which we have been entrusted to benefit and improve the lives of those about
us.
Is the Presbyterian understanding of the end times consistent
with scripture? I believe it is. While not every point stated earlier has
direct association with today’s gospel text from Luke, there are several.
When Jesus is asked about when the temple will be destroyed,
he does not give any kind of a specific answer. The list of signs he provides
are things that happen before the end. And before giving the signs, he states a
warning to not be deceived and led astray.
We humans do not deal well with uncertainty. Therefore,
whenever someone or some group comes along claiming to be able to plot the
future, to be able to interpret signs, who comes with confidence and authority,
who is charismatic and persuasive on one hand, or uses fear to manipulate, we
are tempted to accept what they have to say. History is littered with examples
of groups following a leader who claimed to have answers, who had supposed solutions
to the problems of this world, who turned out to be conmen and frauds.
When Jesus lists wars, food shortages, and epidemics that
are to be expected, these are not something unusual that should only be
expected rarely, but it is a “feature” baked into a world where everyone seeks
to dominate another, who exploits and abuses nature and natural resources,
where the one who dies with most is honored.
In contrast to the world’s values, followers of Jesus are to
take the very opposite path. They are to resist the world’s values in which acquiring
more at the expense of others is good, where might makes right, where human
lives are just a “cost” to be accounted for in a profit & loss statement. Jesus’
followers are to resist by speaking out against unjust practices and when they
can, by taking action to voice their disapproval of them. But they are also to
form an alternate community that is based on Jesus’ teachings, values, and
practices. They are to feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the suffering,
free the oppressed, and proclaim good news to the poor and disenfranchised.
These activities strike at the very heart of the world’s domination system.
I mentioned earlier that growing up I thought that when
Luke’s text speaks about “opportunity to testify,” I thought it meant defending
my theology or beliefs. But the text also speaks about words and wisdom that
opponents cannot refute. What is something that cannot easily be refuted? Actions:
especially actions that have no motivation other than to love and care, and to
have compassion for the world and its inhabitants. Actions that are fully
congruent with beliefs and values cannot be refuted.
If Jesus was teaching merely philosophy and theology without
corresponding action, he would not have threatened (as much) the political
powers of his time. If he only performed wonders and signs without tying them to
a new value system, he likely would have been welcomed. But he lived a complete
life – where his being, mind and body – were in harmony and congruous with the
values of egalitarianism and inclusiveness, of taking down the powers of this
world and lifting up those who were victims of the powerful.
The mission and purpose for Christ’s followers have not
changed since Jesus proclaimed it to his first disciples. Welcome the poor and
hungry, oppressed and fearful. Resist and fight injustice in whatever ways you
can. Proclaim the good news that gives hope to those cast out and looked down
upon by the powerful. Don’t be tempted by the allure of power and influence.
Don’t seek benefits for your own self. Don’t be tempted to speculate on what
might be. Be present in the here and now. Live a life of integrity so that no
one can question your sincerity and motivations.
Jesus gave his promise, “By holding fast, you will gain your
lives.”
In the name of God who is faithful,
In the name of God who lived faithfulness,
And in the name of God who confronts our frequent
faithlessness, Amen.
References
Green, J. B. (1997). New International Commentary
on the New Testament: The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids, MI: William B.
Eerdmans.
Levine, A.-J., & Brettler, M. Z. (2011, 2017). The
Jewish Annotated New Testament, 2nd ed. Oxford, NY: Oxford University
Press.
March, W. E. (1999, Janary/February). The End of
the World. Retrieved from Presbyterian Church (USA): Presbyterian
Mission: https://centernet.pcusa.org/what-we-believe/end-of-the-world/
Talbert, C. H. (2012). Reading the New Testament:
Reading Luke. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Incorporated.
Van de Laar, J. (2025, November 09). Lectionary
Reflection for Proper 28C on Luke 21:5-19. Retrieved from Sacredise Your
LIfe!: https://sacredise.substack.com/p/lectionary-reflection-for-proper-79f
William B. Eerdmans. (2003). Eerdman's Commentary
on the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans.
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