On a road in winter the sky is gray and cold. The ground is hard. Nothing seems to grow. The earth waits, for the quickening of the year, the coming of a new season.
You know when the fig tree sends out fresh young leaves that summer is near.
The signs of the times will be as sure as that when the day is near; the day of judgment, the day of the Lord, the day the kingdom of heaven comes – and the day of the deliverance of God's people.
Listen to what the Lord is saying:
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves."
People may think the end is coming when they feel some local disturbance. They may think their own troubles are the end of the world.
Then others may say,
“Ye think the rustic cackle of your bourg
the murmur of the world! What is it to me?”
*
And yet — the day will come. Jesus says,
"People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken" – stirred up.
"Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory."
This is just what the book of Daniel said would happen, on the day the Lord delivers Israel from its oppressors — Babylon, Rome, the empire of this world.
And Jesus says,
"Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Hold your heads high — what looks like disaster to others is just a sign of the times to you. It means your deliverance, your vindication.
Then he told them a parable:
"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."
Summer is a-coming in – you can see it, can't you, in the greening of the trees? – and so too you will see the beginning of the end foretold in these signs, and the promise of your deliverance coming into reality.
"So also," Jesus says, "when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place."
The generation that sees the signs of the time of the end will see it through to completion. The generation that sees the dawn approaching will see the morning light.
That's good news. And Jesus assures us,
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
Amidst all these tumults and trials, wars and persecutions, sorrows and joys, there is one thing to hold on to, there is only one thing you need: the words that will not pass away; the words of the Lord, the eternal Word.
When everything is shifting, like an earthquake,
and the pavement turns to sand, shifting beneath your feet,
turn to God – he alone is steadfast, his promise sure –
and he will guard you and see you through to the end.
Jesus warns us,
"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."
Keep yourselves awake — live like people who know the day is approaching, not like creatures of the night.
Don't get mired down in doubletalk and dire warnings — be ready for the coming of the One who is sent to set you free.
When he comes, he calls his own. Be ready for the call.
Make sure you are sober and watchful and ready — don't get lost in the moment, in the distractions the world has to offer.
When he comes, he calls his own. Be ready for the call.
The things that bog you down, the things that bring you sorrow — these are real enough, but they will pass. Be of good courage and hold your head high.
When he comes, he calls to you. Be ready for the call.
Jesus says,
"For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth."
These tidings shall be for all people. Everyone will see the coming of the glory of the Lord. And what seems like bad news, to some, will be glad tidings of peace on earth among all of good will.
The gospel warns us,
"Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
The first hearers of this gospel, the first generation of the church, knew how true its words could be.
In the year 70 the armies of Rome encircled Jerusalem and laid siege; it fell, and the Temple was destroyed. The foundation stones of the building alone were left — just one western, wailing wall.
All these things came to pass within a few years of Jesus' passing — no wonder his people expect the returning of their savior at any moment.
All these things are yet to come —
though they have happened already,
again and again in the history of the human race,
they are yet to come —
and what they mean,
what they portend —
is the necessity of the coming of the kingdom of God among us,
the kingdom that is the will of God
as it is in heaven,
to be so on earth as well,
to emerge among us.
As Christ embodied the Word of God into the world,
the love and compassion and forgiveness and mercy of the Father,
so we are to embody him,
carrying forward his work in the world,
bringing it to completion,
bringing the message of peace,
and reconciliation,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
to a hurting world,
a searching world,
a world that needs
as never before and always
the healing touch of its
Savior, its
Lord.
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us.
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus!
Be among us —
and dwell within us,
that we may be your voice and your hands,
bringing your grace and glory into the world.
AMEN.
_______________
*(Tennyson, Idylls of the King, “Enid”, 1859)
Notes for a sermon to be given on
The First Sunday of Advent, 2009
St Alban's Episcopal Church, Edmonds, Wash.
JRL+
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