Luke 21:5 – Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”   7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. 13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.  (NLT)

For those that follow the liturgical calendar, we are in the season of Advent.  Not all Churches observe Advent, so what is it?  Just as the season of Lent is a time to spiritually prepare for Easter, Advent is a time to spiritually prepare for Christmas.  Christ came into the world two thousand years ago, and many saw and heard him.  One way or another, we will all come face to face with Jesus, either when he returns or when we die.  Our meeting Jesus is a reality – it will happen!  Advent is a time to prepare for the reality of Jesus in the world, and in our life.

The passage we have today from the Gospel of Luke is a traditional Advent reading.  Jesus had spoken about the coming destruction of the temple.  While this would happen in a relatively short span of time, the disciples took this to be some sort of end time prophecy.  In Jesus’ answer, he cautions them about becoming too excited with news of an end, but ultimately he tells them that no matter what they should stand firm in their faith. 

Friends, as I stated above, we will all meet Jesus one day.  If Jesus returns today, or if he returns long after we have died, we will all meet Jesus. Advent is a time to prepare us for Christmas, and ultimately Christ.  Whether Christ returns now or later, we should also stand firm in our faith, trusting that no matter what happens in our life, we will be safe in Jesus.

Let us heed the words of Jesus in verses 18-19: “But not a hair of your head will perish!  By standing firm, you will win your souls.”  Let us take these weeks prior to Christmas as a season to make sure that we are standing firm.  Let us seek to build trust in the one who has promised us that live or die, we are safe in Christ! 

Posted by Ramón Torres