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Grace, mercy and peace to you from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen

Luke 21:5-19

Luke 21:16-19 – New International Version

16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

I enjoy going to the movies. Show of hands, who enjoys the movies?  Great.  You should enjoy the sermon today.

Danielle and I enjoy going to the Plaza Cinema down at Laurieton. There is something about the décor, the gold, the feel as you walk through the door.  Feels like you’re stepping back in time. And the smell of popcorn, even though I don’t really like eating it.

One of the hardest things is choosing a movie.  Trying to choose something that everyone will enjoy is hard work. I know we have spent hours scrolling through all the streaming services trying to find a movie that everyone would like to see or hasn’t seen.  The last one we went to see was Top Gun 2. Wow, what a movie?  Filled with action, big sounds, blowing things up and great photography.  And despite being a movie about war, categorised as action and drama, I found it to be one of love, inspiration and hope.

If we think about today’s text, we might pop it into some slightly different categories.  Maybe horror, fantasy, drama thriller or maybe science fiction.  I propose that today’s text is more like a story of encouragement, hope, maybe inspirational.

Now, before we get too deep into the text, it might be beneficial for some backstory.  Similar to the rolling screen at the start of the Star Wars movie, where it opens with “A long, long time ago in a faraway galaxy…..”  Well, let’s do the same and start with picking up the writings about 30 years after Jesus’ death.  Luke’s concern is primarily focused on a detailed account of Jesus’ life, but also on bringing people to faith.[1]  As you know, we are heading towards the end of the Church year, and as we do, we turn our attention to eschatological matters; a focus on the end times, anticipation of Christ’s return and judgement.  So, there should be no surprise on the selection of the texts and their connecting themes.  But the end of the year is also a time for transition to a new year.  An opportunity to look back and remember and an opportunity to look forward with joy and anticipation of things to come.

We pick up today’s text in Jerusalem about 1 week before Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection.  And we hear about the disciples admiring the great temple (v5).[2]  Adorned with all its gold and splendour, bronze gates and great offerings.[3]  No doubt it would have been a magnificent sight — an awe-inspiring place.  I am sure it would look great on the big screen!  And Jesus turns to the disciples and says ‘See all this, it will be destroyed.  Not on stone will be left upon another’ (v6).  Could you imagine what that would feel like?  Here stands the jewel of Jerusalem, and it is going to be decimated. Just like in the war movies where they blow everything up, nothing will be left standing.  Not one stone on another.  Wow.  Imagine how the people who adored the temple would have felt.

But why? Why the destruction?  Well, just before this, we hear about Jesus telling a story about a widow offering everything she had.  We hear about those who looked down upon her in their piety. She was seen as not good enough.  Her offering was no match for the great offerings at the temple in today’s story.[4] Yet, her modest offering was considered the greatest by Jesus.  Her offering went beyond any worldly gift a man or woman could offer.  She gave herself.[5]  If we consider the widow with today’s story, Jesus is saying be mindful, don’t put your trust in flashy, earthly, material things of this world.  Things that can rot, decay and be taken away.  Jesus is saying, put your trust in me.  The eternal possession which no amount of money can buy.

Another, more theological perspective is an early indication of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.   Through his death on the cross, he renders the old sacrifice system of blood and animals with himself.  One sacrifice for all.  In doing so, renders the sacrifice and the temple surplus to need.  With a new, eternal temple established with the Holy Spirit inside each one of us. 

We then hear the disciples ask two questions in one sentence (v7). When will it happen? And how will we know?  Jesus, in his classic style, answering one of the two questions.   He says, this is how you will know. 

Firstly, don’t be misled by false prophets (v8).  He gives them a warning about who they are listening to.  Because there will be people who come along and tell you that ‘I am he’, but they aren’t.[6]  They aren’t the true Messiah.  As they said in the advert on TV “be alert, but not alarmed.”  Not everything may be as it first appears.  So be aware and discern what is true and good.

Then Jesus goes on and says, before all this, you will have some crazy things happen (vv9-11).  And he gives us a list:

• There will be wars and uprisings (v9).
• Nations v nations, kingdoms v kingdoms (v10).
• There will be Earthquakes, famines and plagues (v11).
• Here’s an interesting one, Portents – signs and warnings. A description of great suffering, fear and unhappiness (v11).

Oh, but first, Jesus says ‘just one more thing’.  Did I tell you that you may be killed?  What……Yes, you will be arrested, persecuted, evicted from synagogues, and put in prisons (v12).  Wow, Jesus, you are really selling this ‘Christ follower’ thing.  What Jesus is really explaining is exactly what happened to him.  What has happened to Paul.[7]  What happens today to many followers of Christ around the world because they bear his name and take up the cross, and follow him.  Jesus wants us to go in with eyes wide open.  He is preparing us for what is to come and know we will have all we need to meet the difficulties ahead.[8]

Now, as we know all good movies have a happy ending. Jesus doesn’t leave us hanging.  He says, sure all these things will happen but don’t worry.  Don’t stress about when all this will happen.  The end will come, but not immediately (v9). But, see this as a great opportunity.  Your suffering will open the doors to Kings, Princes, Governors (v13).  You will be brought in front of the most powerful people in the world. And as they turn their ear to hear your words of defence, you will be given an opportunity.  An opportunity to share the good news, to bear witness and testify about me and the power of my salvation brings.[9]

Imaging, standing in front of a King, someone of power, and testifying.  Trying to find the words to say. I’m gathering, just like me, we would struggle to find the words, not to mention to then have the ability to speak up and actually say anything.  Well, Moses had the same problem.  He said in Exodus 4:10, “I have never been a man of words…” But Jesus says again, don’t worry. Don’t prepare your words (v14).  I will give you the words to say (v15).  Simple words that will leave your opponents speechless.[10] He says to the disciples just keep doing what I have called you to do. Share the good news of my salvation with those around you.  And if you get persecuted, if you are hated, rejected by those closest to you, or not welcomed (vv16-17), don’t worry.   For I have you in the palm of my hand, and nothing will hurt (vv18-19).   Jesus encourages us that, despite the severe trials that we will face, we are not to be afraid. Because he will have the ultimate victory.[11]

Oh, and by the way, I am coming back for you.  Yes, there is a promise hidden in there for us.  He says ‘not a hair on your head will perish’ (v18) and that believers will ‘gain your souls’ (v19).  Jesus is saying you will ‘win life’ through your endurance of suffering.  That the gift, the prize, is a promise of eternal life with him.  Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard about the Saints.  We remembered the ones who have gone before us. The great cloud of witnesses who watch over us. And last week, the words of comfort and the promise of the resurrection.  The assurance of life where we know we will be reunited with our Christian brothers and sisters again.

How can we be sure?  Well, just like Top Gun, or any good movie, there is always a sequel – or maybe 3. There is more to come, more to the story.  The script has already been written.  We have the advantage of scripture, proof in the true word.  And in the coming verses, Jesus will give more details and warnings. He warns the disciples to be on the lookout, be prepared, for the opportunity to escape the demise of Jerusalem and seek shelter with him.  That the journey he is on will take him all the way to the cross. Where he nails the weight of the world’s sin.  Where he washes us clean through his blood, reconciling us through his resurrection. And the promise of his divine return.  A message of Salvation that’s been set in stone.

So my dear friends, be comforted and fear not. Don’t be weighed down by the difficulties of the world or the grips of evil.[12]  Know that despite the uncertainty, the chaos and challenges that we face in the future, we walk together. As we endure the suffering, we gain life.  As we look forward to the end times, we have the assurance that Jesus will return and gather us up with all the saints in heaven. Fear not, Jesus will take care of your persecutors.  Not a hair will be touched because you have the promise.  The promise of eternal life, held safely in the nail-scared hands of Jesus.[13]   What a blockbuster conclusion.  What words of hope and encouragement.

 Amen.

Let’s pray.

Dear heavenly Father.Thank you for sending Jesus to reconcile us to you, so that we may live in hope. Thank you for your word, for we know what happens with our story on earth and in eternity. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to walk with us as we wait patiently and are prepared for your return.
Amen

Luke 21:5-19

Do you face the future with apprehension and anxiety or with joyful anticipation? Our media, with its focus on bad news, doesn’t make it easy for us. There seems to be no end of so-called “experts” with their gloomy predictions about the future, despite their poor track record of success. Fifty years ago, scientist Paul Ehrlich prophesied ecological disaster and mass starvation for our world. Most of his gloomy predictions have not come true.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus informs us that despite disasters and tough times that may occur in the future, we can look forward to that “happy last day (Luther)” with joyful anticipation and unbridled hope. In the face of natural or man-made disasters, we can hold our heads up high because our salvation is near. We read in Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And the best, the very best of everything, will soon be given to all who love our Saviour Jesus Christ. The more we think about the new heaven and new earth that will be given to us, the more effective we will be in serving our God on this earth now. Those who have served God most effectively while on this earth have meditated frequently on what God is preparing for those who love Him in the life of the world to come. They’ve especially looked forward to Christ’s visible appearance on the Last Day.

We Christians ought not to be alarmed over threats of nuclear warfare or other international disasters because we know that Christ Jesus will triumph over all opposition and threats to His Church. He has already won the most important victory over sin, death and the devil at Easter. We live now in the light of that victory. Jesus said, “I have said this to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world! (John 16:33)” In this morning’s Gospel, Jesus is asked about signs of the last things.

St Peter mentions positive signs performed by Jesus before Easter, and in the Book of Acts we learn of signs like the conversion of 3,000 people to Christianity on the first Pentecost Sunday. The principal prophecies of the Old Testament have been fulfilled in the First Coming of Jesus Christ, at Christmas, Good Friday, Easter and Pentecost. The Last Days weren’t some event far off into the future, but an event that began at Pentecost. “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” All Christians can now prophesy when they uplift, encourage and comfort others with the Holy Gospel. St Paul says, “Those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding, encouragement and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3).” By comforting and encouraging others, we strengthen their faith in the face of life’s troubles and trials. “The essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness to Jesus (Revelation 19:10).”

In the New Testament the role of prophecy is less to talk about the future, and more to reassure us of God’s hand in the things that are happening in our lives today. Romans 8:28 remains a key assurance for us, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” Many of the signs Jesus mentions in Luke 21 were already fulfilled in the Book of Acts, like Jesus’ followers being persecuted and brought before governors because of their faithful witness to Jesus. When they did that, they discovered that our risen Lord Jesus was fulfilling His promise of giving them powerful words promoting all that Jesus has done for us. Their opponents were astonished at their disarming fearlessness. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.” The more the first Christians were persecuted, the more the Christian Church grew. The Church thrives more in times of adversity than it does when everything’s going well.

A Chinese Christian has written that “the growth in the life of the Church has been promoted even by the servants of the devil. Wherever the Church flourishes there are difficulties. The revival of the Church here has grown up in this situation. For if Jesus had not been crucified, none today could be saved; if there were no testing by fire, then true faith would not become apparent, and if there were no training we could not become instruments used by the Lord. So difficulties are the means for promoting life and revival in the churches.”

Anatoli Levitin was imprisoned for the Christian education of youth. In prison he was able to spend much time in prayer. He writes, “The greatest miracle of all is prayer. I have only to turn my thoughts to God and I suddenly feel a force bursting into me; there is a new strength in my soul, in my entire being …” During his time of prayer, he would imagine himself taking part in the worship of his church. He said, “At the  central point of the liturgy … I felt myself standing before the face of the Lord, sensing almost physically His wounded, bleeding body. I would begin praying in my own words, remembering all those near to me, those in prison and those who were free, those still alive and those who had died. More and more names welled up from my memory … the prison walls moved apart and the whole universe became my residence, visible and invisible, the universe for which that wounded pierced body offered itself as a sacrifice … after this, I experienced an exultation of spirit all day – I felt purified within. Not only my own prayer helped me but even more the prayer of many other faithful Christians.”

St Paul, when he became a Christian, found endless comfort in the knowledge that Jesus identifies with us when we faithfully witness to Him. To persecute a Christian is to persecute Jesus. From that time on, St Paul was never able to look at another Christian without seeing Jesus there. Christians have viewed the fact that they can fearlessly witness to Jesus in the most negative of situations as evidence that Jesus is with them and sowing seeds of faith for the future. Not all that seems to be a sign really is a sign. Many events are important in their own right, without being signs of the End. Natural and social upheavals occur to keep us on our toes and to prevent apathy and complacency among Christians about the future of their faith.

The most important event that must occur before the End of our world is that the Gospel must first be preached to all nations, “And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).” St Paul did his utmost to spread the Gospel as far as he could. His example motivated countless other Christians to pass on the good news of Jesus Christ. “Very many of the disciples of that age, whose hearts had been ravished by the divine word with a burning love of Christianity, first fulfilled the command of the Saviour and divided their goods among the needy. Then they set out on long journeys, doing the work of evangelists, eagerly striving to preach Christ to those who had never heard the word of faith (Eusebius).”

We owe a huge debt to the witnessing activity of such faithful Christians. The spread of the Gospel continues today amongst migrants to our country like the Sudanese, Koreans and Chinese. Some of these, in turn, return to their homeland to spread the Gospel there. We can prepare for the Last Day by praying for and supporting the mission work of our Church here and overseas.

The more we can, in faith, see God at work in all the things that are going right in our lives now, the less need we will have to peep into tomorrow. Jesus says, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes (Matthew 6:33-34).”

The prophets’ role in the Bible was to call God’s people to repentance and a deeper trust in their Creator. Fulfilment of prophecy (as predictions of the future) often came as a breath-taking surprise, exceeding all expectation. When Jesus came, He exceeded people’s expectation in all sorts of ways. We read in the Gospels that people were constantly astonished by what He said and did. He showed an extraordinary love and focussed His time and attention on those folk who were the neglected and forgotten members of society. No wonder the common people listened with rapt attention to Jesus. For He embodied the Good News He practised and preached.

Jesus equated the Gospel with Himself. To do something for the Gospel is to do it for Jesus. For where the Good News about Jesus is shared, there He is present. References to the blessings the Gospel brings us here and now far outweigh references to hell and damnation in the New Testament. Hell is for those who reject God’s love and the best good news in the universe. Jesus promises you that “By standing firm, you will gain life”, that is, life with Christ Jesus forever. He also promises that “not a hair of your head will perish.” This means that nothing, not even your hair, is excluded from Christ’s care of you. No part of your real being will be lost or brought to nothing. If your hair doesn’t perish, it is because that’s part of His will and purpose for you. “Of all the ills we endure / Hope is the universal cure.”

The New Testament links our Christian hope with words like assurance, confidence and eager expectation. After this sermon of Christ’s in today’s Gospel, in order to keep our faith and hope alive until He visibly reappears, Jesus instates Holy Communion. We don’t have to wait for the Last Day for Jesus Christ to come to us. Through Holy Communion, He prepares us for the life of the world to come. Holy Communion enables us to do today’s duties without worrying about what will happen in 2020 or 2021.
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).” “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).”   Amen.

Text: Luke 20:34-38

Jesus answered, “The men and women of this age marry, but the men and women who are worthy to rise from death and live in the age to come will not then marry. They will be like angels and cannot die. They are the children of God, because they have risen from death.  And Moses clearly proves that the dead are raised to life. In the passage about the burning bush he speaks of the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’  He is the God of the living, not of the dead, for to him all are alive.”

There is an Italian legend about a master and servant.  It seems the servant wasn’t very smart and the master used to get very exasperated with him.  Finally, one day, in a fit of temper, the master said, “You really are the stupidest man I know.  Here, I want you to carry this staff wherever you go. And if you ever meet a person stupider than yourself, give them this staff.” 

So time went by, the servant would encounter some pretty stupid people, but he never found someone stupid enough to give the staff.  Years later, he returned to his master’s home.  Even though his master was very sick, he still managed to say to his servant, “I see you haven’t found anyone more stupid to give that staff”.  After a while the master said, “I’m going on a journey soon.”
“When will you return?” asked the servant.
“This is a journey from which I won’t return,” the master replied.
The servant asked, “Have you made all the necessary arrangements?”
“No, I guess I haven’t.”
“Well, could you have made all the arrangements?”
“Oh yes, I’ve had time.  I’ve had all my life.  But I’ve been busy with other things.” 

The servant said, “Let me be sure about this.  You’re going on a journey from which you will never return and you’ve had all your life to make the arrangements, but you haven’t.”

The master said, “Yes, I guess that’s right.”
The servant replied, “Master, take this staff.  At last I have truly found a man stupider than myself.”

Maybe that’s just a story, but it reflects the way many people treat death as a taboo subject.  Everyone knows that it’s going to happen to them one day but it’s something people prefer not to think about or talk about.  No thought is given about death and dying and its impact on them personally.  No thought is given on how to prepare for death until it hits close to home and suddenly despair, emptiness, hopelessness and inconsolable grief fills their lives because they have never given any thought to the finality of death and what lies beyond this life.  Like the man in the story, too many people know they are going on this journey but don’t prepare for it.

On the other hand, people who have no interest in religion as well as people in the church want to know what happens when we die.  Science can’t penetrate beyond death to discover what happens to us.  We can’t interview anyone about dying, and what is beyond death.  There has been an intense examination of those who have had near death experiences and experience bright lights at the end of tunnels.  What these mean and do these apply to everyone is anyone’s guess.  Are these just happening in our brains or are they more than that?

Behind all this interest in death is the deep down feeling that there must be more – that there is something beyond this life. There is curiosity.  There is the desire to want to believe that our purpose is more than our years here on earth. 

Some have grasped on to the idea that has become very popular that we will come back again and our soul is given to another living creature. Our soul lives on forever, reincarnated hopefully into a higher living being each time.

Others say that everyone is born with an immortal soul that leaves us when we die and goes to live happily forever in another better place.  That immortal goodness in us is waiting to be released when we die and, regardless who the person is, that soul will rest in peace forever in paradise.

There are those who simply say that when you die, that’s it.  There is nothing else.  “When you’re dead, you’re dead!”  When your time’s up that’s the end of you and there is nothing else beyond your last breath.

The Sadducees followed this line of thinking.  They claimed that there was no life after death – no resurrection – since it isn’t mentioned in the first 5 books of the Old Testament.  They enjoyed having a bit of fun with those who did believe in life after death so they come to Jesus with this hypothetical question about a woman who marries 7 brothers after each one dies.  Pointing out how ridiculous the idea of life after death really is, they then ask with a smirk on their faces, “On the day when the dead rise to life, whose wife will she be?”  Can you imagine the Sadducees smugly folding their arms with a grin of satisfaction, thinking, “Get out of that one, carpenter from Nazareth!”

Jesus comes back with two answers both affirming beyond all doubt that there is a resurrection and that there is life after death.
Firstly, Jesus says that in this life, men and women marry but those who are worthy to rise from the dead will not marry.  They will be changed.  Their bodies will become like angels.  That means our bodies will be different to what they are now – we will have a heavenly body if you like.  What that precisely means we aren’t told but we are told they will never die.  We aren’t on a never ending merry-go-round of reincarnation, neither will we disappear into nothingness.  God has prepared for us an eternal destination.

The point Jesus is making here is that you can’t take what we experience in this life and project those experiences into the new life in heaven.  Heaven is way beyond anything we experience here.  As much as we might like to think we have some pretty good things here in this life and want to experience them again in heaven, Jesus is saying that heaven is way beyond anything we know from this present life.  It is something totally new and wonderful.  It defies description because all we can do is use words and images that we have from this life and they are completely inadequate when it comes to describing life after death.

It’s like looking through a frosted glass window trying to see what’s on the other side.  All we can see are shapes and lights – what’s on the other side will have to wait until we are able to see it all clearly with our own eyes.

Now to Jesus’ second come back to the Sadducees.  This time he refers to the books of Moses – the Sadducees considered themselves to be the experts when it came to this part of scripture.  He says, “Moses clearly proves that the dead are raised to life. In the passage about the burning bush he speaks of the Lord as “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’  He is the God of the living, not of the dead, for to him all are alive.”  He points out that God does not say that he was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as if they were dead and gone.  Rather God introduces himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who are alive and well living in his presence.  “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I am the God of the living. I am the resurrection and the life.”

There are lots of things we don’t know about life after death and how the resurrection will happen and when it will happen.  But we do know that it will happen and who is at the centre of the resurrection even if everything is a bit unclear now.

In 1 Corinthians 15, St Paul uses the picture of the seed and the mature plant. When you look at the seed that you are about to plant, to all intents and purposes it looks dead and lifeless. Into the ground it goes, there to await the miracle of germination.  Down come the gentle rains and the warm rays of the sun and that dead seed suddenly and miraculously springs to life.  Up it pushes through the soil as a new plant and at last when it is ripe and mature is harvested.

So it will be with our bodies.  One day some loving hands will tenderly deposit the dormant seed of our lifeless bodies into the soil of the grave, there to await the miracle of germination, the wonder of the resurrection.  And up we will spring as God’s new plants, the same and yet different, glorified, deathless and immortal, ripe, mature and ready to be harvested and to enjoy his presence forever.

Paul calls Jesus “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  Jesus has opened up the way for us to inherit eternal life.  He has been the first.  He defeated death and all its terrors by his own resurrection and promises that we too shall rise in the same way. 

Hermann Sasse was a German theologian who came to this country fleeing Nazi Germany.  He became a great teacher who influenced generations of Lutheran pastors in Australia.  His last message to the church and to the world is written on his grave stone – simple but profound words:
“For those who trust in you, Lord, life is changed, not ended.”

One new day we shall awake to a day beyond all other days by the love of God.  All trouble, doubts and fears will be gone.  We will become “like angels” by “the God of the living” we are raised to a joy and peace beyond anything that mortal minds can conceive.

When that happens, the words of this sermon will seem trivial, and even the visions of heaven in the Bible will seem an inadequate description of the real thing.  Now we see dimly, as through a frosted window; then we shall see with absolute clarity.  Thanks be to God!