Sermon for Sunday 18th November 2018
Readings:
Daniel 12:1-3
Hebrews 10:11-13
Mark 13:1-8
May I speak in the Name of the Eternal Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.
Sometimes when we get our Sunday readings, we find it difficult to work out why they were chosen together for a particular Sunday.
But today, the Old Testament Reading, Epistle and Gospel have a common theme. They talk of “things to come” what in theological terms is described as Apocalyptic es Khat ology,
a term that is applied to prophecy of the God’s future plan, the destiny of God’s people, wrapped up in God, through Jesus’ teaching, often by metaphor, but never with a mixed methaphor (thank you Barry
for your recent English lesson)
And in the context of our current time amid Brexit confusion, who could hope to predict what will happen, and where we will be in the days, weeks, years to come.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the signs of things to come -
sort off?
Jesus spoke often about the end times and certainly not in ways supported by a modern or secular worldview. For Jesus, who knew that God has a plan, that he shared in from the start,
was fundamental to his ministry.
Jesus was with the disciples in the temple.
As they came out, one of the disciples exclaimed his awe of the structure. “Look, Teacher, what large stones and large buildings!” he said (Mark 13:1). Ancient historians described
the the temple in Jerusalem as magnificent. Of its massive size and stature much of which was covered in gold.
Jesus’ response must have surprised the disciples:
“Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down” (Mark 13:2).
The disciples must have been in a mood to discuss the end times because later, when Jesus was sitting opposite the temple on the Mount of Olives, they asked what he meant?
“When?” they wondered aloud,
“What will be the sign?”
Jesus’ response was just as surprising.
Jesus warns of those “false prophets that would lead them astray”.
He tells them not to be alarmed by “wars and rumors of wars” which, to you and me, would be pretty alarming.
.
A more troubling time would be coming, Jesus explains. It will include war, earthquakes and famines.
But they are not to be afraid since, “This is but the beginning of the birth pangs” (Mark 13:8) of God’s new Kingdom.
Jesus’ response might be thought of as similar to the famous WW2 Slogan “Keep Calm and Carry on” a slogan revived more recently by Dr Bex Lewis, a Anglican Theologian and
social media lecturer in her book of the same name.
Bex was describing the history of Propoganda posters, whose purpose was to “Attract, Persuade and to suggest a course of action1”
I am not suggesting that Jesus was propounding propoganda, but he was answering the disciples - allowing them to work out for themselves in time, the meaning of what he was saying.
Like the disciples, we would like to to know every detail about when and how our future — and God’s ultimate justice — will take place.
Certainly, if we can use science and technology to detect earthquake or hurricanes, it helps save lives, but the disciples were longing for more.
They wanted a signpost, much as we often do, particularly if our map is out of date, or our satnav isn’t working or reliable.
We know that God’s nature and purpose isn’t a route map, we have to discern it ourselves with the assistance of the Holy Spirit - and hope that we don’t lose our way.
In this passage from Mark, Jesus uses language and terms common in the old and new testament to help reveal what is currently hidden to the disciples. It was common, around Jesus’
time, to mix visions, symbols and dreams to disclose a future more important than the present reality.
In Mark 13:1-8, and the passages we heard in the Old Testament In our readings from Daniel and Hebrews, they described the longed for future in which oppression is a thing of the past, but they must not be read as detailed
step-by-step directions to the end of times.
The coming times are sometimes described in vague, rough, violent terms, but the ultimate end is full of God’s justice and peace.
Trust in God means living a life expectant and hopeful for Christ’s return; we have to be careful not to try to explain every world event in terms of God’s plan. It could
well be man made. Climate change being one example.
Discipleship calls for a faith in which ultimately, despite our present struggle, God’s love is sovereign.
We are called to live out our lives seeking to conform them to God’s vision of justice, love and peace.
Waiting for the End
Believers today take many different approaches to the end times. Some read into the Bible explanations that simply are not there, mislabeling hurricanes and natural disasters, and causing
fear and panic unnecessarily.
Note that in this passage, Jesus does not suggest times ahead will be easy. In fact, he warns of the danger of false prophets. “Many will come in his name”, Jesus says, but
“they are not he”.
The furore a few years ago about the predicted “Rapture” demonstrates the danger of false prophecy. The Rapture supposedly of the “chosen” 10,000 never happened,
but thousands of believers sold their homes and possesions only to be disappointed.
Since we are so prone to confusion, Jesus explicitly advises against alarm and overreaction.
The faithful response to disaster is not pointing a finger, or making accusations, but service to God and neighbor.
Sadly, we know too that one day there will be another storm, another shooting, another earthquake.
We need to try to break the cycle of natural events, although being aware of how man’s interference with God’s creation may be the cause of some. But not interpreting these
events in ways Jesus warned against.
Instead, we need to follow Jesus’ example; the one who healed at every opportunity, who urged care for those without food and shelter, who loved beyond all love even in the most desperate
of times.
Jesus gave a vague answer as to when God will renew the world in God’s justice, but his instructions for caring for our neighbors were abundantly clear. When disasters hit, Jesus’
followers should get to work in prayer and action and leave the end time decisions to God alone.
I pray that we, you and I will be prepared for the end times, but not to worry to much about them just yet, in other words “Keep Calm and Carry on” doing what we do.
Amen
1 to attract the attention ....Persuade....suggesting the desirability of a course of action.
Lewis, Bex. Keep Calm and Carry On (Kindle Location 86). G2 Rights Ltd. Kindle Edition.
Lewis, Bex. Keep Calm and Carry On (Kindle Location 85). G2 Rights Ltd. Kindle Edition.
