23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Text: Luke 21:5-19
Pastor Jean M. Hansen
There is both history and theology in today’s Gospel reading. The former reminds us of reality, but so does the latter, but in totally different ways.
Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem; throughout this Season of Pentecost he has been on his way, and finally it is the middle of what we call Holy Week in this text. Jesus and his followers were spending time in and near the Temple and his opponents were looking for a way to arrest him; soon he will complete his journey to the cross.
The people around Jesus, no doubt including the disciples, were admiring the Temple, and indeed there was a lot to admire. Think of the most impressive building you’ve ever visiting – Westminster Abby in London or St. Peter’s in Rome or the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. – and then triple it in grandeur; that was the Temple in Jerusalem. King Herod began its construction around 20 BCE; the main structure took 10 years to complete, but the entire complex was not finished until 64 CE.
So, it was still in process in Jesus’ time. The Temple was constructed of white marble, covered with plates of gold in the front. Ancient church historian Josephus wrote that some of the temple stones were 37 feet long, 12 feet high and 18 feet wide. The massive outer court could accommodate 400,000 people. It was no doubt a representation of permanence.
Yet, what does Jesus say about those massive stones? “…not one stone will be left upon another; all will be torn down.” Can you imagine? Jesus is talking about the destruction of THE symbol of stability in their lives. Obviously, those who were listening wanted to know when this would happen. How would they be forewarned? What might they do to prepare? It’s interesting that in 70 CE the Temple was destroyed by Rome, and by the time Luke’s Gospel was written that desolation had already taken place. It’s thought that Luke included this conversation in his written account to prove that Jesus was right when he predicted this horrific event; it was a historical reality.
But there is more than history here; Jesus was letting his followers then, and now, and in-between, know that things are going to get a whole lot worse before they get any better. Instead of parsing each natural disaster or international conflict or pandemic or famine or act of persecution or injustice for its meaning (is THIS the sign that the end is near?), the reality is that even for – especially for? – Christians there is no such thing as getting through life without facing challenges, upheaval, injustice and, also, push back for living out one’s faith. The point is … and here’s the theology – in the midst of this reality how do we acquire the strength to respond and where do we find our refuge?
It should NOT be in seemingly indestructible structures that are symbols of power, stability and authority, including brick and mortar buildings and monuments, government systems, social structures and certainly not flawed leaders. As commentator Kendra A. Mohn noted, “People of faith are called away from placing their trust or lasting attention on whatever ‘large stones’ we see around us. We should instead assume instability, persecution and unfair systems, and seek the power of God in the midst of them.” (1)
Faith-fueled endurance wins! But how can we endure? Certainly not on our own strength or cleverness. We endure by the power of the Holy Spirit given to the Children of God, who are dependent on God’s grace. As the Apostle Paul wrote from prison, “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1:11-12)
We have inner spiritual power. Do we forget that in midst of the upheaval of the world, in our community and our individual lives? So, considering first the challenges in our world/ community, how are we seeking the power of God as we strive to address injustices that surround us? It seems to me that we may acknowledge issues - easy access to guns, widespread racial and ethnic disparities in areas like the criminal justice system, housing, and healthcare, discriminatory practices against immigrants, voter suppression, to name a few. But we fail to remember that the greatest weapon we have is the strength God provides to endure disappointment and the wisdom we receive from God to bear witness to what Jesus has taught us. When we draw on that strength and wisdom as a united group, change is possible.
As for individual challenges, the power and presence of God is a reality there too. I recently came across a podcast from the Moody Bible Institute that was shared during the Pandemic five years ago. The presenter was remembering something he saw on TV at the time of a terrible earthquake in Haiti some years earlier. In this broadcast people were getting on to a bus to be rescued. This is what he recalled, “A news reporter put a microphone in a mother's hand and said, ‘What happened to you?’ She said, "Well, everything was devastated. I had an 18-month-old boy and he was killed.’ The reporter said, ‘Did you have a funeral for him?’ And she said, ‘No, I couldn't. I just had to throw him away.’
The presenter continued, “If I remember correctly, in her other arm, in addition to carrying a bag, was a baby. But I noticed when the camera zeroed in on her in her backpack was a Bible. Now, she's about ready to get on the bus and she quotes Psalm 46, the first verse, one of the greatest passages in all the Bible about natural disasters—'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.’ And then she disappeared into the bus. I turned off the TV, tears came to my eyes, and I said, ‘Did I actually see what I know I saw?’"
This mother had endured the unimaginable, and yet it seems she drew on “the strength that comes with God’s glorious power…." God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, she said.
Jesus told his followers, who were about to face incredible pain and persecution, that Spirit-powered endurance would get them through the worst until they reached the best – eternity. As Pastor JoAnn Taylor once said, “How shall we endure the suffering that comes with being a follower of Jesus Christ?” The answer, “By being a followers of Jesus Christ.” (2) AMEN
(1) “Commentary on Luke 2:5-19” by Kendra A. Mohn, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. www.workingpreacher.org
(2) “Firm to the End – Sermon on Luke 2:5-19” by JoAnn Taylor, Nov. 17, 2013, www.pastorsings.com