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This article is based on Luke 21:25-36.
In the church, when we come to the First Sunday of Advent, we are in a preparation mode, preparing for the coming of Christmas.
According to Luke 21:26, there will come a time when "'People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken'" (NRSV). This event is not something that is about the nations and people of the earth. All the universes will be shaken.
Despite this news, Jesus gives the people hope: "'Then they will see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud" with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near'" (v. 27-28). While I look forward to the second coming and I do it with a shout of joy for evil coming to an end, I also do it with a tear in my eyes for those who will be lost.
Jesus then continues, that you will know when these times are here because you will see them happening all around you. "'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is nearby'" (v. 29-31).
The next verse states, "'Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place'" (v. 32). Sometimes scripture is hard for us to understand, as it has been for others over the years. If Jesus' words are true, how could these things have happened, and yet nothing has changed. Did he get it wrong? The best explanation I can give is that Jesus did not say that the generation would experience all these things taking place. He said that the generation will see these things taking place. There were times when it sounded as if Jesus said that John the Apostle would live forever. This was during a discussion Jesus had with Peter when he revealed to Peter that he would one day go where his feet did not want to go, referring to the way he was to glorify God. (See John 21:21-23). John did not live forever but died when he was about 100 years of age. But during his lifetime, he saw the vision he recorded in Revelation and shared it with others, thus fulfilling the prophecy that people in his generation would see through writings that these things would happen.
Jesus also said that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Luke 21:33). In addition, Jesus stated: "'Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap'" (Luke 21:34-35). This is not a "Bye-Bye Miss American Pie" song; it is not a time to drink and throw in the towel, even though we are told that no one will escape what would happen.
Instead, be grateful you know the signs, and prepare for that day. Get your ducks in a row, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to then stand before "the Son of Man." The Son of Man is the Lord Jesus Christ who is our Savior and one day our judge (Luke 21:27).
There is a new year dawning, and what it holds only God knows for sure. During this Christmas season, prepare for the coming of Christ, as a child and as your Savior. Amen.
Pastor Kathy Behrens, Picture Rocks and Tivoli United Methodist Churches